Asia faces uphill battle balancing energy demand with net-zero goals

There will be a 33% rise in energy demand by 2030 in Asia-Pacific.

Asia's energy sector is struggling to meet electricity demands while adhering to net-zero emissions goals. Forecasts show that by 2030, electricity demand across the Asia-Pacific region will surge by over 33%, placing immense pressure on power generation systems already grappling with resource limitations.

"The demand is increasing globally, there's just not enough electricity to meet it," said Scott Reese, CEO of Electrification at GE Vernova. The key issue, according to Reese, is not just producing enough energy but doing so without reversing progress toward global carbon reduction targets.

Part of the solution will rely on a mix of renewables and cleaner gas sources, but the variability of renewable energy—whether wind or solar—adds another layer of complexity.

Beyond managing renewables, the energy sector must rethink how it integrates different energy sources, especially in light of the growing demand for electric vehicles and rooftop solar. "We need to orchestrate [the grid] as one," Reese said, "Demand growth is a reality, and we have to go after it with urgency.”