By Elva Wang, Group Director of South, Southeast & Central Asia, Trinasolar Asia Pacific
Climate change is accelerating the shift to clean energy. Southeast Asia is aligning policy and capital to turn pledges into projects. Which technological innovations will unlock faster, cheaper, and more reliable clean power across the region, including Thailand?
Southeast Asia is accelerating its energy transition with growing momentum from both policy and capital. Stronger regulatory support and expanding clean‑energy financing are creating a more predictable investment environment, enabling governments and developers to move from planning to delivery. According to 2025 Boomberg NEF report on Southeast Asia, this year’s auction pipeline — nearly 20 GW of clean power capacity, concentrated in the second half of 2025 — signals a shift from ambition to actionable procurement across the region, and is already reshaping project pipelines and developer strategies.
Solar is emerging as a clear near‑term winner: the region is set to add roughly 4.8 GW of solar capacity in 2025, more than half again as much as in 2024. That growth reflects improving financing terms, faster permitting where policy is aligned, and the scaling of both utility and distributed projects.
Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam have set ambitious renewable targets within their national development plans. Thailand aims to add 43 GW of solar capacity by 2037; Indonesia plans to deploy 42.6 GW of clean power capacity between 2025 and 2034; and Vietnam targets nearly 24 GW of solar capacity from 2025 to 2030. These commitments signal clear policy intent and create sizeable pipelines that should attract project developers and long‑term capital—provided permits grid access, and offtake frameworks are aligned to support bankable projects.
Regional dynamics are also shifting: the Philippines resumed auctions for solar and wind this year after a two‑year pause, reopening a previously stalled procurement channel. Malaysia is rapidly emerging as a data‑center hub, with government projections indicating data‑center capacity could expand to about 7.7 GW by 2030 and 20.9 GW by 2040—driving new demand for reliable clean power and behind‑the‑meter solutions. Together, these country‑level moves reinforce Southeast Asia’s transition from exploratory planning to large‑scale deployment, underscoring the need for coordinated grid upgrades, streamlined permitting, and innovative financing structures to convert targets into delivered capacity.
For Thailand, the visionary Power Development Plan (PDP) reflects this ambition, setting an inspiring goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 47% by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050, alongside a gradual liberalization of its power market. Thailand is set to approve its Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) policy later this year, which will allow corporations to directly procure clean power from third-party generators.”
Under the Ministry of Energy’s Quick Big Win policy, solar power development is being prioritized at all levels. The community solar farm project encourages private producers to invest in ground-mounted solar plants targeting a total generation capacity of 1,500 megawatts. The government has also allocated 7.5 billion baht to support solar projects for the public sector, hospitals, and to help fund solar-powered water pumping and village water supply systems. Meanwhile, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) plans to invest 3 billion baht in developing transmission infrastructure to meet the growing electricity demand driven by data center expansion.
The Southeast Asia and Thailand energy landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by the urgent need for sustainable solutions. Several key trends are emerging that promise to revolutionize how we generate, store, and utilize energy.
One significant development is the rise of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) technology in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The BESS market is experiencing explosive growth, projected to reach USD 76.7 billion in 2025 and soar to USD 172.2 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 17.6%.
Fueled by enhanced storage efficiency, improved safety, and declining lithium-ion costs, the surge in the BESS market increasingly favors LFP batteries for their enhanced safety, longer cycle life, and cost-effectiveness, making them ideal for both stationary storage and electric vehicle applications.As EV adoption grows, economies of scale further drive down LFP prices, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the renewable energy ecosystem. Countries worldwide are actively investing in BESS to stabilize renewable energy integration and pave the way for a cleaner energy future.
Complementing advancements in energy storage is the growing trend of integrating renewable energy sources with energy storage. At COP30 (2025), global leaders emphasized the importance of accelerating the clean energy transition to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nations are now integrating renewable generation with energy storage as a core strategy in their national energy plans. Solar and wind power, inherently intermittent, can be made reliable and available 24/7 with the help of energy storage systems. These systems ensure grid stability and enable the release of stored power during peak demand or periods of low sunlight. By combining these technologies, renewable plants can operate more efficiently, contributing a greater share of total grid generation. The Pacific Green’s Limestone Coast North Energy Park in Australia, featuring Trina Storage’s 250 MW / 500 MWh battery system, serves as a prime example, enhancing energy security across Southern Australia.
A key strategy to maximize renewable energy production involves Creative Land Use for Renewable Applications. Transforming underutilized land into renewable energy sites is gaining traction worldwide. In Shandong Province, China, an abandoned mine has been ingeniously converted into a 150 MW renewable power complex featuring floating solar farms, energy storage, and integrated agricultural and aquaculture operations. This project exemplifies how intelligent energy management can maximize land use while driving sustainability. Trinasolar’s smart microgrid demonstration at its global headquarters in China further illustrates this concept. By integrating rooftop solar panels on parking structures with all-in-one energy storage and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) bidirectional charging, the project showcases a practical model for optimizing clean energy use and enhancing grid interaction.
Continuing to push the boundaries of renewable energy is the development of advanced next-generation high-efficiency solar PV. Solar PV remains the cornerstone of renewable energy generation, and recent breakthroughs in perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells have propelled efficiency levels to 31%, with even greater potential on the horizon. Trinasolar recently demonstrated its commitment to innovation by showcasing its latest R&D achievements in next-generation PV technologies, including TOPCon Ultra and perovskite/silicon tandem cells. The company further solidified its leadership by setting new world records in cell efficiency and power output with its 3.1 m² module featuring 210 mm x 105 mm perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, achieving a power output of 841 W and 31% efficiency. Another noteworthy innovation is the development of Shield modules designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, capable of resisting hail up to 75 mm in diameter striking at a 60° angle.
Finally, Sustainable Data Centers are crucially important for the digital economy, yet their massive energy consumption causes significant ESG concerns. Energy costs can account for 30–50% of operating expenses, and a single hyperscaledata centers can consume as much power as a small city. Operators in Europe are addressing this issue by prioritizing renewable energy, efficiency, heat reuse, cooling efficiency and water usage. Additionally, innovative cooling technologies like liquid cooling and advanced airflow management are being adopted, further reducing energy consumption. The integration of AI-driven energy management systems also enhances data center operational efficiency and minimizes environmental impact. As data center operations become increasingly vital to our digital lives, sustainable operation is paramount.
Thailand is actively promoting clean data infrastructure via supportive policies and streamlined project approvals. Trinasolar contributes by providing integrated solar PV + storage systems, utilizing high-efficiency modules to deliver stable power and meet emissions targets. Sustainable data centers are strategically crucial for both digital growth and climate action and support Thailand’s net-zero emissions goal.
Southeast Asia stands at the cusp of an energy transition. With Thailand at the forefront, embracing these five key trends, ranging from integrating renewable energy sources with energy storage to sustainable data centers, will unlock unprecedented opportunities for clean energy growth and energy security. At Trinasolar, we are not just providing technology, we are forging strategic partnerships and pioneering integrated solutions that empower nations across the region to achieve their ambitious climate goals and realize a truly sustainable future. Together, we can transform potential into tangible progress.”
However, unlocking the full potential of solar energy will require collaboration between governments, industry players, and research institutions. By embracing these advancements, Southeast Asia can establish itself as a global leader in renewable energy, ensuring a cleaner, more resilient future for generations to come.
At Trinasolar, our mission—“Solar Energy for All”—guides us to develop breakthrough technologies, build strategic partnerships, and enable large-scale deployment across the Asia-Pacific region. Together, we can create an equitable, sustainable energy ecosystem driven by innovation, integration, and shared commitment to a cleaner tomorrow.
