Southeast Asia's Green Hydrogen Boom: A Renewable Revolution
Southeast Asia, Monday, 5 May 2025.
Investments in green hydrogen surge across Southeast Asia amid shifting energy goals and climate action. With governments eyeing carbon neutrality, public enthusiasm is on the rise—hinting at an eco-transformative future.
Rising Public Enthusiasm
It’s fascinating to see how public enthusiasm for green hydrogen in Southeast Asia is blooming. According to the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s 2024 Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey, support grew remarkably, especially among the working-age group. This rise is tied to increased media coverage of national hydrogen strategies, which highlight potential job creations and emission reductions [1][2]. For instance, Singapore witnessed a surge in support from 26.9% in 2023 to 31.3% in 2024 after unveiling its national strategy [1].
Investment Surge Driven by China’s Policies
Hold onto your hats, because investments are skyrocketing! Southeast Asia sees a massive influx of green hydrogen investments, mainly due to China’s recent designation of hydrogen as a critical energy source. This has encouraged many Chinese companies to dive into the green hydrogen sector, boosting patent applications and resulting in significant financial flows to the region. It’s one of 2025’s most intriguing energy transitions, hinting at massive potential for renewable energy initiatives [5].
Challenges and Opportunities
Of course, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Despite the enthusiasm, developing green hydrogen in ASEAN faces hurdles such as high costs, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory barriers. Governments are urged to stick to low-carbon policies and seek regional cooperation to magnify their hydrogen strategy impact. But fear not—ASEAN can harness this moment by aligning strategies with local carbon policies and improving public perception [1][4].
National Strategies: A Game of Numbers
Get the calculators out. National strategies in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam aim to leverage green hydrogen’s economic benefits. Malaysia’s ambitious strategy could potentially generate more than RM400 billion in revenue. Indonesia eyes private investments reaching US$24.2 billion by 2060, and Vietnam’s plans might inject up to $45 billion into its GDP. Those are some serious numbers, showcasing how strategies multiply potential gains and job opportunities [1][2][4].