The 7^th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO7) was launched at the 40^th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) on 15 September 2022 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This outlook serves as a complementary document for the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) by creating four different pathways up to 2050 to achieve the set targets. It was developed by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) in collaboration with national experts from ASEAN Member States (AMS) and guided by the ASEAN Regional Energy Policy and Planning Sub-sector Network (REPP-SSN). The launch of this flagship publication also received special recognition from the German Ambassador to Cambodia, Mr Stefan Messerer, who believes that the AEO7 will become one the primary key references for policymakers and all stakeholders in ensuring secure, accessible, affordable, and sustainable energy in the region.

In this edition, AEO7 introduced the Least-Cost Optimisation (LCO) Scenario, which considers cost-effectiveness, affordability, and technology maturity to fulfil electricity demand in evaluating potentially viable technologies in ASEAN emerging economies. The study also explores several thematic chapters related to assessing measures for energy resilience, which include exploring technologies for grid integration and interconnection, utilising fossil fuels during the transition, improving industrial efficiency, enhancing dispatchability of renewable energy, financing energy transition, and managing the safety and social acceptance of nuclear power.

In the following month, ACE conducted a webinar to follow the AEO7 launch. This virtual discussion provided insights into each perspective from three pillars of ACE, namely, energy modelling and policy planning (MPP), renewable energy and energy efficiency (REE), and power, fossil fuel, and alternative energy (PFS). The speakers mentioned that ASEAN will continue its energy demand growth, around three times of 2020 level by 2050. It also highlighted the crucial role of batteries and energy storage and how the industry and transport sector will be the highest energy-consuming sector by 2050.

On 13 October 2022, the AEO7 team got the opportunity to present some of the key findings at the Indonesia Sustainable Energy Week (ISEW)’s dialogue on Planning the Energy Transition in Indonesia. On 27 October 2022, the team was invited to present the outlook at ACE Thinktank Roundtable at Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW): Charting the ASEAN Energy Security and Climate Resilient. The session discussed existing efforts and future strategies to ensure security in the energy transition.

The AEO7 is expected to pave the opportunity for more collaborative partnerships to advance the ASEAN energy sector in navigating just energy transition that is secure and resilient. In the following weeks and months, AEO7 dissemination will still be conducted on several occasions, such as webinar series and AMS roadshow.