OVERVIEW
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Southeast Asia Smart Power Program (SPP) is a five-year initiative to transform energy sectors and improve access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy. Southeast Asia is undergoing rapid economic growth, and sustaining such progress requires affordable and reliable energy services. As the flagship clean energy program of the USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia, SPP advances economic growth and development by ensuring secure, market-driven, and low carbon energy sectors help the region achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
PRIORITIES
IMPROVE PERFORMANCE OF ENERGY UTILITIES
SPP strengthens the capacity of electric power utilities; improves their financial viability, operational efficiency, and governance; and enhances their ability to adopt advanced energy technologies and leading international practices. SPP provides technical assistance through embedded advisors, trainings, and peer-to-peer exchange programs tailored to local contexts within the region.
INCREASE DEPLOYMENT OF ADVANCED ENERGY SYSTEMS
SPP supports the development of innovative solutions that transform the energy sector, as measured by the deployment of clean and advanced energy systems across Southeast Asia. The program aims to significantly increase the uptake of renewable energy sources, energy efficient technologies, and smart grids.
STRENGTHEN ENERGY TRADE AND INTEGRATION
The program collaborates with regional energy entities, development partners, and national counterparts to increase regional energy trade and cooperation across Southeast Asia. USAID supports public and private sector partners to accelerate the adoption of variable renewable energy resources.
ENHANCE METHANE EMISSIONS MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE
SPP works with Southeast Asia’s biggest oil and gas companies, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Council on Petroleum (ASCOPE), the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), and other development partners to enhance the capability of the oil and gas sector to reduce methane emissions and contribute to the Global Methane Pledge and net-zero pathways.
KEY OUTCOMES AND RESULTS
- Supported the development and commissioning of 2,090 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy projects in Thailand and Laos (1,490 MW and 600 MW, respectively).
- Delivered 14 technical trainings to strengthen clean energy knowledge to over 800 energy practitioners.
- Supported King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities, and ACE to enhance their capacity to address clean energy challenges, such as strengthening KMUTT's energy and power engineering programs and supporting them with developing financial risk assessments in power trading projects.
- Formalized a partnership framework with ACE to support the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2021-2025.
- Partnered with more than 15 regional oil and gas companies, national governments, and international organizations through the ASEAN Energy Sector Methane Leadership Program to advance the Global Methane Pledge and decrease regional methane emissions by 30 percent before 2030.
- Developed Guidelines, Codes of Practice, and other standards for governments in Southeast Asia to design, inspect, and expand new and existing renewable energy projects.
- Established a Competitive Procurement Center to serve as a one-stop-shop for research, best practices, and technical assistance that will increase transparency and competitiveness for the procurement of advanced energy technologies across Southeast Asia.
- Provided technical consultation and support to develop the rooftop solar aggregation business model as well as securing funding and expanding market opportunities for two Thai companies.
Throughout its five-year program, SPP anticipates contributing to the deployment of 2,000 MW of advanced energy systems, the mobilization of $2 billion in clean energy finance, and a five percent increase in regional power trade.
