Except for geothermal energy, where Indonesia and the Philippines have considerable resources, renewable energy has only limited potential in the region. It has minimal wind resources and only slightly more potential for solar and biomass power.

By contrast, Coal has proved easier to create the transport systems and fuel supply agreements required coal-fired plants. The region is substantially increasing its use of coal-fired power stations for base load power generation, even though these emit far more CO2 per megawatt than those using any other fossil fuel.

CONCLUSION: Government rhetoric increasingly indicates willingness to address climate change, but the gap with reality is underscored by plans for a large-scale expansion of coal use across the region.