In the last four years, Southeast Asia’s electricity demand has surged by 24%. Yet, despite the falling cost of renewables, nearly 80% of that new demand was met by coal and gas. The problem isn't the technology, it's a "locked-in" market structure that indirectly blocks the green transition

Alexandre Salesse, Partner at BCG, explains how the "Single Buyer" model and "Take or Pay" contracts have created a reliability gold standard at the cost of future flexibility.

He also unpacks the four critical reform levers needed to modernise the grid without triggering blackouts or investor flight.

Learn about:

• The Physics of Power: Why electricity is a unique commodity that requires a perfect "bicycle balance" between production and consumption.

• The "Sunk Cost" of Coal: How long-term contracts force utilities to prioritise fossil fuels they’ve already paid for, leaving no room for cheaper solar.

• Unbundling for Competition: The necessity of separating power purchasers from plant owners to resolve built-in conflicts of interest.

• The ASEAN Power Grid: Why it took 14 years to negotiate one wind farm and how a regional framework could fast-track future cross-border projects.

• Targeted Subsidies: Moving away from hidden "blanket" subsidies toward transparent, time-bound support for those who need it most.

• Avoiding Wishful Thinking: Why Southeast Asia shouldn't aim for immediate, Western-style liberalisation, but rather incremental "flexibility levers."

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan

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Categories:  economy,  managing,  environment

Tags:  single buyer model,  asean power grid,  Energy transition,  renewable energy,  decarbonisation,