Asia stands at the centre of the global energy transition. Home to nearly 4.8 billion people and three of the world’s five largest economies, the region must meet energy demand projected to double by 2050, while simultaneously cutting emissions and advancing net zero commitments.
Renewable energy capacity is growing quickly, yet fossil fuels still account for around 80 per cent of Asia’s energy mix. The region also produces nearly half of global greenhouse gas emissions. Rapid urbanisation, industrial expansion and a rising middle class continue to push energy consumption higher. At the same time, more than 350 million people across Asia still lack reliable access to electricity, underscoring the need for a transition that is not only low-carbon, but inclusive and equitable.
Against this backdrop, Energy Asia 2025 convened from 16 to 18 June in Kuala Lumpur under the theme Delivering Asia’s Energy Transition. Policymakers, industry leaders and energy professionals gathered to confront a critical question: how can Asia meet growing energy demand while achieving climate goals without compromising development, affordability or energy security?
The conference was hosted by Petronas with CERAWeek by S&P Global as knowledge partner, bringing together more than 4,000 delegates from 60 countries and 38 industries. With 150 sessions featuring over 180 speakers, the event urged Asia to accelerate implementation and translate energy ambition into measurable outcomes.
A transition shaped by complexity
Economic growth across much of Asia depends on reliable and modern energy systems. Expanding cities, industrialisation and rural electrification all require secure and affordable supply. Yet the region’s energy pathways differ widely. Access to capital, domestic resource endowment, technology readiness, workforce capabilities and policy maturity vary significantly across markets, so Asia cannot rely on a single blueprint for the transition.
However, what unites the region is the need to safeguard access and affordability. For developing and emerging economies, clean energy solutions must strengthen and not undermine energy security and market stability. With hundreds of millions still without dependable electricity, policymakers must ensure the transition remains practical, just and development-oriented.
In his keynote address at the event, Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, highlighted a widening investment imbalance. Although Southeast Asia accounts for roughly half of global energy consumption growth, the region attracted just 2 per cent of global clean energy investment in 2023 – a disparity that could deepen regional inequalities if left unaddressed.
Tengku Muhammad Taufik, president and group chief executive of Petronas and chairman of Energy Asia also reinforced the need for pragmatism. He called for region-specific strategies and stronger cross-border collaboration to build resilient energy systems capable of withstanding geopolitical tensions and market volatility.
Other speakers stressed that investment, innovation and human capital are key to determine the pace of progress. Without bankable projects, enabling policy frameworks and a skilled workforce, Asia’s energy transition risks stalling in key markets.
Turning dialogue into delivery
Energy Asia 2025 moved beyond high-level discussion and delivered concrete outcomes.
One key milestone was the inaugural Energy Asia Global Leadership Executive Forum (EAGLe), which gathered more than 30 global CEOs and C-suite leaders from energy, finance, technology and consulting.
Focused exclusively on Asia’s transition, the closed-door forum aligned leaders around four priorities: strengthening energy system resilience; improving project bankability to unlock capital; reducing emissions while generating social impact; and accelerating innovation and the deployment of decarbonisation technologies.
A total of 14 memorandum of understanding alongside major partnership announcements also took place during the event. Petronas signed a strategic cooperation agreement with TotalEnergies to expand upstream operations in Malaysia, a framework agreement with Eni to explore regional upstream joint ventures, and a liquefied natural gas supply agreement with Commonwealth LNG to diversify exports to the United States.
Further collaborations included an agreement with Japan’s JERA to strengthen cooperation across the gas value chain in support of Japan’s energy security. Petronas also unveiled plans to establish an Energy Transition Academy to equip workers with technical capabilities needed in emerging low-carbon sectors.
Energy Asia 2025 concluded that Asia’s transition will follow multiple pathways, but its success depends on coordinated action, sustained investment and inclusive growth. The forum will return in 2027 in Kuala Lumpur from 2 to 4 June. For more information, visit officialenergyasia.com
