The challenge
A rapid energy transition
Australia has experienced one of the fastest power system transformations in the world and continues to embrace cleaner energy systems and low emission targets.
Australia is working towards 82 per cent renewable energy in its electricity grids by 2030 and is committed to building an affordable, secure, and reliable low-emissions energy system for all residents. As a result, Australia is at the forefront of system planning globally and CSIRO plays an integral role in this.
Robust planning processes are essential for ensuring the security, affordability, and reliability of our electricity systems. We are working with Southeast Asian countries including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam to support improved electricity system and network planning across the region. This planning will be critical for integrating increased levels of variable solar and wind resource generation.
Our international work draws from some of the latest research conducted by the Australian Research - Power System Transformation (AR-PST). This national initiative brings together energy experts from around Australia to remove barriers to the uptake of renewable energy.
Other key support activities come from the Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I), which is a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) development initiative in Southeast Asia bringing together Australian and Southeast Asian government bodies and related entities. CSIRO supports this work by sharing technical advice related to the energy transition.
Our response
Clean energy, supporting national climate goals
We have assisted DFAT in supporting the Southeast Asian energy sector transition since 2023.
DFAT has committed funding across three major research areas focussed on Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. The initiative significantly advances the region’s transition to clean energy, directly supporting national climate goals, expanding energy access, and fostering long-term environmental and economic sustainability.
The research areas cover:
- Advice and support to Southeast Asian countries, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- Specific assistance developing renewable energy roadmaps (Vietnam, ASEAN)
- Technical report on tropical impacts of battery energy storage (Malaysia)
- Knowledge development and sharing across market operations in high penetration renewable grids (Indonesia, Vietnam)
- Developing a local hydrogen research base (Laos).
- Communication of important research outcomes of relevance to Southeast Asia
- Delivery of 4 workshops (Indonesia, Vietnam, Melbourne, and Brisbane) to Southeast Asian audiences leveraging outcomes from the Global Power System Transformation work.
- Next generation electricity system planning workshops (Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia).
- Energy system planning masterclass, in response to the high interest from Southeast Asian countries in AEMO’s grid planning.
- Technical assistance on specific topics in Southeast Asia
- Decarbonising isolated grids (Indonesia)
- Investigations into inverter testing and design (Thailand, Indonesia)
- Modelling, with existing CSIRO tools, to aid in the identification and design of green energy supply options for industrial hubs.
At the core of this work has been CSIRO’s commitment to engage energy industry stakeholders across Southeast Asia to tackle common challenges in the transition to renewable energy.
The results
Long-term engagement and investment with Southeast Asia
Our work has opened the door to long-term engagement and investment with Southeast Asia. This has included sharing research outcomes with energy ministries, market operators, integrated energy supply companies, and research partners from multiple countries.
CSIRO has hosted workshops in both Australia and Southeast Asia, fostering cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing between Australian researchers, and regional industry players. Additionally, CSIRO has supported organizations like ASEAN in developing multi-national energy roadmaps and enhancing regional energy cooperation. These efforts have directly contributed to advancing the energy transition in Southeast Asia and strengthening Australia’s leadership in the sector. This work is currently funded through the end of 2026.