Wind Power can Push Southeast Asia Forward

Wind Power is Growing

With 20 terawatts of untapped solar and wind energy and technical potential about 55 times the region’s current total generation capacity, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said, Southeast Asia is well positioned to meet surging demand whilst reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Solar and wind are now among the most cost-competitive sources of new electricity generation.

In terms of wind energy, however, Eco-Business observed that countries in ASEAN are at widely different points in their journey. In Vietnam, for instance, wind power is the largest source of non-hydro renewable energy. A feed-in tariff system whereby the government pays guaranteed, above-average prices for renewable energy and has a target of 38 gigawatts (GW) by 2035 helps make the country a regional leader. In Laos, the Monsoon Wind Power project, completed in 2025, has been touted as the largest in Southeast Asia. On the other hand, even though Thailand aggressively pursued solar and hydro, it made a slow start on wind despite having high-wind areas in the north and despite a potential for 13-17 GW of onshore wind energy.

Indonesia, Geni Energy said, has great potential for onshore wind energy. As in other countries, the development of wind energy is expected to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. It will also support achievement targets of renewable energy being at least 23 percent of energy supply in 2025 and 31 percent by 2050.

A promising opportunity, according to Global Growth Insights, is small wind turbines, which have a capacity of up to 100 kW and are designed for local electricity generation. They are widely used in residential applications, agriculture, rural electrification, telecom towers and small businesses, often in areas where grid access is limited or unreliable.

Hurdles to Overcome

Even though most ASEAN countries have historically been fossil fuel dependent, global think tank Ember said the energy landscape is rapidly changing. By 2030, solar and wind are projected to account for 23–25 percent of the power mix, up from 4 percent today. To realise this transition, grid infrastructure must become more modern, flexible and regionally integrated. Stronger grids can be achieved through grid planning that include modernisation, expansion, flexible options, regional integration, market reforms and mobilisation of finance.

The East Asia Forum observed that Southeast Asia has faced a pivotal energy crossroads as it has prepared its 2025 Nationally Determined Contribution climate action plans. Despite heavy reliance on coal and natural gas, abundant solar and wind offer a path to a cleaner future. Accelerating renewable energy deployment requires stronger policies, regional cooperation through the ASEAN Power Grid and innovative finance models. Since sun and wind are plentiful in Southeast Asia, and solar panel and wind turbine costs continue to fall, hitting ASEAN’s ambitious target of raising renewable to 35 percent of power capacity seems doable.

Giving Compass said countries in mainland Southeast Asia have stark differences in renewable energy strategies, though, as they balance renewables with hydropower and entrenched interests. While solar power has become accessible and cost effective, many nations have struggled to make wind power an essential part of renewable energy strategies, despite the high potential. Others, such as Vietnam, have become regional wind power leaders.

A key issue that would enhance growth is finance. Norton Rose Fulbright said developers continue to rely on project finance to address capital requirements for offshore wind farm development. The Philippines and Vietnam have been more reliant on local finance providers and on concessional finance solutions from multilaterals such as development banks and export agencies to support energy projects. Realising the potential of wind will require a concerted effort to address the financing challenges.

Companies are Moving Forward

A multitude of companies have been set up in Southeast Asia to address the challenges and install wind energy. Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are witnessing a surge in clean energy entrepreneurship, Speeda observed. The startups cover a wide value chain, from solar and wind development to hydrogen mobility and bioenergy. Many are embracing asset-light or “zero-cost investment” models that deliver affordable clean energy to industrial and commercial clients with minimal upfront costs.

In Malaysia, for example, Launch Lift said small vertical wind turbines are increasingly deployed in remote regions where conventional grid connectivity is impractical. The market includes a mix of SMEs and start-ups offering modular solutions and leveraging localised manufacturing to reduce costs as well as to meet site-specific demands. For high-density urban environments such as Kuala Lumpur, smart vertical turbines installed on rooftops, commercial buildings and public infrastructure can deliver localised power, reduce peak demand pressures and improve energy security. There are more than 20 small wind energy companies in Malaysia.

Terangin, in Indonesia, offers a micro-scale wind power generator with an automatic braking system, designed to suit Indonesia's climate.

Untapped Energies, a start-up headquartered in Singapore, provides off-grid, low-wind-speed renewable energy solutions that can be incorporated into streetlights, tunnels, coastal regions, infrastructure and telco towers.

Climate Insider said Cyan was established in 2022 in Singapore with the aim of providing tech support for offshore wind farms. Its services include surveying sites for optimal turbine locations, installing turbines, consulting, maintenance, protection of the marine environment and decommissioning. Cyan has grown to become the largest offshore wind focused vessel platform in Asia Pacific, with operations across Asia, Europe and Australia as well as a fleet of 34 vessels. Cyan Renewables is a portfolio company of Seraya Partners.

BeeX, founded in 2018, focuses on maintaining wind farms once they are built. One of the bigger issues with offshore wind farms is maintaining them, Climate Insider said. BeeX’s methods reduce required personnel by 70 percent as well as reducing carbon emissions and operational costs by 95% and 50% respectively. BeeX is a deep tech spin-off from the National University of Singapore.

There is plenty more growth ahead for wind energy, and these firms as well as a variety of others are powering the way forward.