The Asia-Pacific region is considered a large contributor to the renewable energy transition, growing at an annual rate of 34% since 2004, as reported by KPMG setting up the region to become a ‘manufacturing superpower.’
As such, David Leal, Delta Electronics’ Vice President of Southeast Asia strategic alliance development, has called on local industry to double-down on research and development and investment in the region.
“The time is right for the region to further its growing global profile as a manufacturing superpower,” Leal says.
“Between its electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and data centres or low footprint smart mine sites, Australia and its neighbouring partners have an opportunity to weather the current market headwinds by providing solutions for the world’s technological transformation.”
According to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2024, Southeast Asia attracted 2% of global clean energy investment despite accounting for 6% of the global gross domestic production, 5% of the global energy demand, and being home to 9% of the world’s population.
IEA notes the current level of investment will require a fivefold increase – with US$190 billion needed in 2035 – to put the region on a pathway consistent with achieving its energy and climate goals.
According to KPMG, Asia Pacific’s economies invested US$345 billion ($531.12 billion) into renewable energy production – much of it in China and India – meaning the region accounts for nearly half of the global renewables production capacity, producing 4,141.7 terra-watt hours in 2023.
Delta says there is an opportunity for Australia, following the recent explosion of AI technology, as the nation and the surrounding areas emerge as crucial partners in the construction of energy efficient, low environmental impact data centre sites and technology hubs.
The company notes this vision aligns with its expanding role in some of the country’s infrastructure and industrial transformation projects.
The IEA reveals that Southeast Asia is set to become one of the world’s largest engines of energy demand growth over the next decade.
Southeast Asia’s growth is led by the electricity sector, with demand expected to surge at an annual rate of 4%.
According to IEA’s report, clean energy sources – wind and solar – are projected to meet more than a third of the growth in energy demand in the region by 2035.
Delta Electronics is focused on playing a key role in Australia’s digital infrastructure evolution, powering data centres, supporting critical operations, and enabling energy resilience across several sectors.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: iStock
