Policy Brief: Managing Coal Phase-Down in Southeast Asia: Constraints and Policy Options
This policy brief examines the challenges and opportunities for accelerating coal phase-down in Southeast Asia, with a focus on Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. As one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for energy demand, Southeast Asia faces a uniquely complex transition, shaped by young coal fleets, long-term power purchase agreements, and the need to maintain energy security.
Drawing on regional analysis and insights from the Sharing Perspectives to Advance Regional Knowledge on the Energy Transition in Southeast Asia (SPARK) Dialogue on Coal Phase-Down Financing convened in January 2026, the brief outlines key structural, financial, and policy barriers to coal transition, and presents practical, context-specific recommendations to support a managed, equitable, and scalable phase-down pathway.
