Across the region, private investments in green projects saw a substantial 43-per-cent increase year on year, led by solar deals. But progress is uneven and Southeast Asia still struggles to close an annual funding gap of US$50 billion by 2030.
Before US tariffs, an AI-fuelled data centre boom had spurred tech giants to make big renewables bets in the region. Mounting uncertainty is prompting a "wait and see" approach, though the long game hinges on local policies, say experts.
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies has driven the 'surging' growth of data centres in China, with associated increases in energy demand and emissions.