Unveiling the Integration of Wind Energy in Mainland Southeast Asia
In the rapidly evolving landscape of renewable energy, Southeast Asia is making significant strides, particularly in wind power. Two countries leading this charge are Vietnam and Thailand.
Vietnam, a regional wind power leader, has revised its Power Development Plan to aim for an impressive increase in solar energy capacity. The new target is over 73GW, a marked increase from the previous 12.6GW. The revised plan also raises the target for onshore wind capacity from 21GW to 38GW, setting a bold new direction for the country's renewable energy sector.
As of 2024, Vietnam has nearly 5GW of installed wind power capacity. This growth is expected to continue with the commencement of construction on the first offshore wind project by the end of 2022. In fact, Vietnam's original Power Development Plan planned for 6GW of offshore wind by 2030, but this has been revised to 6-17GW by 2035. The Vietnamese government's beneficial feed-in tariff system, which guarantees above-average prices for renewable energy, is a significant factor in attracting investments.
Vietnam's wind power sector is already a force to reckon with, providing 80% of non-hydro renewable energy through 84 wind farms as of 2023. However, the sector has faced criticism from fishers, whose incomes have been impacted by government-imposed fishing bans for wind farm perimetre zones.
Thailand, on the other hand, currently has a relatively smaller installed wind capacity, making up only around 3% of the country's total, or approximately 1.5 gigawatts. However, the country's ambitions for expanding wind energy are reflected in ongoing investments and project developments. For instance, Thailand's leading wind energy developer, Wind Energy Holding, is preparing 2GW of projects.
Thailand's current 2025-2037 Power Development Plan aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065. Companies actively promoting wind energy projects in Thailand include those planning, operating, and marketing wind and photovoltaic power plants, as well as producing green electricity and running climate-neutral data centers.
In the broader context of Southeast Asia, the Mekong River's resources have been a source of contention in the Greater Mekong region. To mitigate this, Laos has taken steps to include more solar and wind projects. Cambodia, while not yet boasting major wind farms, has approved six hydropower projects in Mondulkiri province that are expected to generate 900MW. In 2026, HK Oasis Power's 150MW wind power station is expected to begin operating in Cambodia.
Myanmar, rich in rare earth materials, has faced challenges in its wind power sector. Several wind power projects have fallen through, including the Chinese-built Chaung Tha project. The unregulated and illicit mining of these materials has led to high environmental and human costs. However, Myanmar is working with Russia to cultivate wind power, with plans to build a 200MW wind farm near Mount Popa.
The global access to rare earth materials is affected by political factors, such as China's backing of the military junta in Myanmar. China is responsible for 85% of all rare earth processing and is the world's number one consumer of HREEs, which are used in wind turbines. In May 2025, China demanded the Kachin Independence Army stabilise the rare earth supply chain and threatened to stop buying HREEs from Myanmar.
The revitalisation of wind energy in Southeast Asia is a promising development for the region's sustainable energy future. As countries continue to invest in and develop their wind power sectors, we can expect to see a significant reduction in carbon emissions and a step towards a more sustainable energy landscape.
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