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Asean’s renewable push needs inclusive economic models
Readers discuss energy transition strategies, the low-altitude economy, and China buying 'fourth-best' AI chips Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification
In South Papua, Indonesia, nine-year-old Ulin spends hours each day collecting water and firewood - time that could be spent in school or learning online. Her village, once reliant on diesel generators, has struggled to afford fuel amid rising costs. With the nearest grid over 50km away, communities like hers are left quite literally in the dark.
Such stories highlight a deeper issue. While Southeast Asia's economies are growing rapidly, access to reliable, affordable and clean electricity remains uneven. The International Energy Agency estimates that about 35 million people in the region still lack electricity, and that more than 100 million rely on traditional biomass or kerosene for cooking.
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As the global energy transition accelerates, we must remember a fundamental principle: no one should be left behind. A just transition means more than swapping fossil fuels for renewables; it's about ensuring communities have the energy they need to thrive, from hospitals to schools to homes.
Progress requires more than large-scale infrastructure. It demands inclusive economic models, resilient institutions and tailored support for rural and marginalised populations.
Southeast Asian governments have advanced regional cooperation on renewables, yet deployment on the ground remains uneven. Urban and wealthier communities often benefit first, while poorer regions face hurdles in financing and technical support.
Emerging initiatives are trying to change this. One example is the collaboration between Energy Foundation China and Sustainable Energy for All, while working with local partners to pilot financial models for off-grid renewable deployment in Southeast Asia. These efforts aim to expand access in hard-to-reach areas, opening opportunities for employment, health and education.
China's domestic experience offers potential insights. In 2024 alone, it added about 120 gigawatts of distributed solar installations, often in rural areas. A 2024 study by Energy Foundation China and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank found that these deployments were made possible through diversified investment, public-private collaboration and benefit-sharing models. While not universally replicable, the underlying principles - affordability, investor confidence and local value - could inform other national strategies.
Countries like Indonesia are already adapting renewable solutions for local contexts. What they need is not a universal blueprint, but the policy space and financing tools to design what works for them.
The energy transition must be more than a race for gigawatts. It must be a global effort to build fairness, resilience, and opportunity - starting with the communities most often left behind.
Yunfei Xing, officer of international cooperation, Energy Foundation China, and Jacqueline Lam, regional director, Sustainable Energy for All
Let's go big on the low-altitude economy
I read the op-ed, "The skies are not the limit" (July 13), with amusement.
If the Hong Kong government did not receive with enthusiasm the proposal to promote aerospace as a new engine of growth, it might look to the low-altitude economy as the next pillar.
Back in 2010, mainland China moved to reform its low-altitude airspace, setting out goals and measures to be implemented over the next 10 years. In 2023, the low-altitude economy was designated as a strategic emerging industry. The Civil Aviation Administration of China expects the sector to reach 2 trillion yuan by 2030.
I see no reason why Hong Kong should not collaborate with the rest of the Greater Bay Area to foster the growth of the low-altitude economy in line with the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
This is possible with the advent of 5G and artificial intelligence. Indeed, mainland cities such as Shenzhen and Chengdu already have pilot schemes for air taxis, drone logistics and urban air mobility.
Will the Hong Kong government have the foresight to gradually open the low-altitude airspace for commercial use and capitalise on Greater Bay Area synergy?
Although a dense urban environment, Hong Kong can benefit from the intelligent use of low-altitude applications such as medical delivery, firefighting, inspection of unauthorised building works, aerial photography and tourism.
More work needs to be done. We need to beef up our local legislation regulating small unmanned aircraft with a view to encouraging entrepreneurship and investment in this strategic industry.
In the final analysis, we need to build a low-altitude ecosystem to catapult our economy to new heights.
Charles Chan K.C., barrister and adjunct professor of law at City University of Hong Kong
US should learn from China
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently said the Trump administration reversed course on allowing Nvidia to sell its AI chips to China because China is only getting the "fourth best" chips.
Why does the United States have to talk like China is a poorer and weaker nation? Just because China is getting AI chips from Nvidia now doesn't mean the country will always be reliant on American technology.
When you travel to China and see the infrastructure, it is clearly ahead of the US. At school, Chinese students also seem to be outperforming American students.
China is the future. Times have changed. Instead of being jealous, America should learn from China, adapt and become great too.
Rishi Teckchandani, Mid-Levels
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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.
Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
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