The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has called for stronger regional cooperation in electricity infrastructure, urging countries across Asia and the Pacific to develop interconnected power systems to address growing energy security risks and rising demand.
Speaking at the Asia Clean Energy Forum 2026 in Manila, ADB President Masato Kanda said that no country can manage future energy challenges alone and emphasized the need for cross-border electricity networks that can improve resilience, lower costs, and support sustainable growth.
The proposal comes as the region faces mounting energy pressures, including rapid demand growth driven by economic expansion, urbanization, and increased electricity use from data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and global supply disruptions have highlighted vulnerabilities in national energy systems.
According to ADB, more than 350 million people in Asia and the Pacific still lack reliable access to energy, including over 53 million people without any access to electricity. The bank warned that energy demand in the region is expected to nearly double by 2030, further intensifying pressure on existing infrastructure.
To address these challenges, ADB is advancing the Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative, a long-term plan to connect national electricity systems across borders. The initiative aims to enable large-scale electricity trade between countries, improve the integration of renewable energy, and reduce dependence on isolated national grids.
The programme is expected to mobilize around $50 billion by 2035, including significant ADB financing. Planned outcomes include the development of thousands of kilometers of transmission infrastructure, increased renewable energy integration, reduced emissions in the power sector, and the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs.
ADB officials say the initiative represents a shift away from fragmented national projects toward a coordinated regional energy system designed to improve efficiency and stability. The bank also highlighted its long-standing role in expanding energy access and supporting clean energy investments across the region.
The call for greater energy connectivity reflects broader efforts to strengthen economic resilience and ensure that growing electricity demand can be met in a sustainable and affordable way across Asia and the Pacific.
