International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that Southeast Asia’s energy demand is expected to increase by over 50 per cent to 956 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2025. Fossil fuels, apart from being insufficient to meet this growing demand, have huge adverse repercussions on the environment. Many countries in the region have risen to the challenge by investing in renewable energy, focusing on clean coal technologies and implementing energy-saving measures.
Our focus story, “Sustainable Outlook”, presents an analysis of the demand drivers and solutions for sustainable infrastructure in the region. It concludes that the region offers tremendous opportunities for new technologies and sources of power generation, but significant challenges remain.
This issue also highlights new innovative schemes being launched by the Southeast Asian countries in the infrastructure sector. Our story, “Faster Implementation” acknowledges the hybrid-PPP scheme launched for faster execution of projects. While the government will be responsible for financing and building projects through competitive public bidding, the operation and maintenance of the completed asset will be handed over to the private sector. The scheme has generated mixed response, and its viability has come under question.
Singapore is planning to implement an information technology (IT)-enabled initiative, called the Smart Shower Programme, as highlighted in our story, “Water Conscious”. As part of the pilot project, PUB will install smart shower devices, free of cost in about 10,000 households. These devices will be able to record and provide real-time informationon the quantum of water consumed by users while showering.
Our telecom story, “Increasing Competition” highlights the changing market structure of Myanmar’s telecom industry since its liberalisation in 2013. Apart from the entry of foreign entities like Norway-based Telenor and Qatar-based Ooredoo, the recent one to secure licence is the Vietnam-based Viettel. The country’s telecom sector is set for exciting times ahead with the evolving competitive market structure.
Two of our stories, “Expanding Horizons” and “Augmenting Capacity” take a look at the Southeast Asia’s plans and upcoming projects for bus rapid transit and port capacity creation.