EarthOne: A Fresh Take on Planetary Love
“Hi, Earth lovers! AsiaOne’s new EarthOne section has finally opened its doors, and it’s all about keeping our planet alive while staying scientifically savvy. If you haven’t checked it out yet, dive in and find juicy stories that matter.”
Power Play in Southeast Asia
The region is revving up a regional power grid that will help plug in renewable energy. Think of it as a giant, eco‑friendly superhighway for electricity.
- First trials of the grid are scheduled for 2022. The aim? Share power from wind, solar and hydro across borders.
- ASEAN wants 23 % of primary energy from renewables by 2025. That’s almost a quarter of every kilowatt, and it’s a bold move.
- CO₂‑capturing tech (CCS) is on the table. It’s like a giant vacuum that sucks out the nasty emissions and buries them safely.
Why This Matters
“We’ve heard some rousing announcements about fresh investments in renewables,” said Gauri Singh, Deputy Director‑General of IRENA. “ASEAN’s near‑quarter goal is ambitious, but with worldwide and regional cooperation, it’s totally doable.”
Singapore is importing green power from Malaysia in 2022, plus the first 100 MW of cross‑border energy will run through the Laos–Thailand–Malaysia–Singapore project— a real win for local grid upgrades.
Australia’s green juice is also being eyed; it’s not just about managing energy but about saving the planet.
Government Voices, Green Spices
Minister Gan Kim Yong reminded everyone that power plants produce nearly a quarter of global emissions. Decarbonising electricity is the heart of climate hustle.
Singapore will keep its natural gas dependency, but plans to bring in 4 GW of low‑carbon power by 2035, making up 30 % of its supply. Solar mega‑projects with Sunseap, Sembcorp, Indonesia’s PLN Batam and PT Trisurya Mitra Bersama are already kicking off.
The Carbon Capture Conundrum
Indonesia’s Arifin Tasrif highlighted that coal still powers many grids. He says:
“The ASEAN region still leans on coal. We need to tread careful steps when aiming for carbon neutrality. Promise me we’ll get serious about it.”
CS technology will be pivotal for Indonesia’s net‑zero ambitions, and the country plans to roll it out by 2030.
Exxon Mobil is sniffing around for CCS hubs across Asia, chatting with countries about where to store the captured CO₂.
Financing the Green Dream
To keep the wheels turning, ASEAN will need a hefty US$367 billion (or S$494 billion) over the next five years. Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary‑General, flagged:
“We’ve got a mountain to climb. We need to boost the investment environment and tap into new sources of finance.”
Let’s get out there, make the wise choices, and keep that planet rolling. EarthOne is the place to be, where you can snag the latest climate gossip and feel good about it. Happy reading!
