The Global Renewables Alliance’s (GRA) latest report on 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) procurement in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region signals a critical juncture in the energy transition. With APAC projected to drive nearly 60 percent of global power demand growth over the next two decades, the region’s ability to secure round-the-clock clean energy will shape the future of global decarbonization.
Regulatory Reform as the Cornerstone
The report underscores that regulatory modernization is no longer optional. Policymakers across key APAC markets — India, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam — must accelerate permitting, improve electricity data transparency, and embrace time-stamped Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). These measures will allow real-time matching of clean energy supply with demand, enabling both utilities and corporations to credibly pursue 24/7 CFE targets.
What makes this report stand out is its focus on precision — moving beyond annual or monthly renewable averages to hourly matching. This paradigm shift, if embraced, could catalyze a transformation in how energy markets are structured and how decarbonization progress is tracked.
Infrastructure and Innovation
At the heart of the report is a call to overhaul APAC’s grid systems. The current infrastructure in many markets is not equipped to handle the variable nature of renewables or to support long-duration storage. Without major investments in grid flexibility and energy storage, scaling clean energy will remain a pipe dream.
In tandem, new procurement mechanisms — such as dynamic PPAs and innovative clean energy auctions—are needed to support both corporate buyers and national goals. The emphasis on storage is especially relevant as battery costs fall and technologies mature, offering a viable path to firming intermittent renewables.
Corporate Leadership as a Demand Driver
The report highlights how corporate ambition is becoming a driving force. Major companies are already seeking 24/7 CFE, not just to meet climate targets but to ensure long-term cost predictability and energy security. Their leadership in signing innovative PPAs and pushing for transparent energy data is setting new benchmarks.
This trend creates a powerful feedback loop: as more companies demand hourly CFE, governments are pressured to reform policies, and developers are incentivized to build smarter, more flexible infrastructure.
Outlook: Urgency Meets Opportunity
The message is clear — APAC can no longer afford piecemeal reforms. To meet the region’s surging energy needs while staying on a net-zero pathway, governments must coordinate energy planning, market design, and corporate engagement.
If the strategic pillars outlined by GRA — policy reform, grid modernization, and corporate leadership —are put into action, the region could leapfrog into a model of sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy. But time is of the essence, and delays risk locking in fossil-fueled systems at a moment when momentum should be shifting decisively toward renewables.
GreentechLead.com News Desk