OVERVIEW
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Southeast Asia Smart Power Program (SPP) is a $40 million five-year initiative to mobilize $2 billion in blended financing for clean energy infrastructure. Southeast Asia is undergoing rapid economic growth, and sustaining such progress requires affordable and reliable energy services. As the flagship clean energy program of USAID’s 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, improving their financial viability, operational efficiency, and governance, while enhancing their ability to adopt advanced energy technologies and leading international practices. SPP provides technical assistance, embedded advisors, training, 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. By establishing a Center for Competitive Procurement, a one-stop-shop for research, best practices, and technical assistance, SPP can increase transparency and competitiveness for the procurement of advanced energy technologies in Southeast Asia.
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 leading 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
- Delivered 13 technical trainings to strengthen clean energy knowledge to over 948 energy practitioners in the region
- Supporting the development of 348 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy projects
- Formalized a partnership framework with ACE to support the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2022-2026
- Partnered with the regional oil and gas industry, along with national governments, to advance the Global Methane Pledge-ASEAN Leadership Program, to decrease regional methane emissions by 30 percent before 2030
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.
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