Vientiane, 25 March 2025 – In support of Lao PDR’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, as outlined in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) launched a report entitled “An Energy Sector Roadmap to Net Zero Emissions for Lao PDR”. 

The energy sector is one of the largest contributors to climate change. This Lao Net Zero Report explores potential national pathways to reduce emissions through a range of technological approaches, including renewable energy and emerging low-carbon technologies. It marks ACE’s first national-level report to map a country’s journey towards achieving net zero. 

Held back-to-back with the report launch was the dissemination event for the 8th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO8) – ACE’s flagship publication – which was officially launched in the 42nd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) under Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2024. This event serves as a platform to introduce the key findings and policy recommendations from the AEO8 for sustainable energy planning. 

Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE, stated, “The ASEAN Energy Outlook serves as a vital reference for shaping a sustainable energy future for the region. It provides strategic insights into optimising and decarbonising our energy systems. We are proud to begin our net zero collaboration with Lao PDR and look forward to partnering with all AMS to accelerate progress towards climate targets, particularly in the energy sector. ”  

The event gathered around 40 representatives from Lao PDR’s government agencies, academic institutions, and state-owned enterprises. Participants actively contributed to a panel discussion focused on enhancing regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and intergovernmental collaboration to achieve national and regional climate goals. 

Dr Santisouk Phimphachanh, Senior Official on Energy (SOE) Leader of Lao PDR, noted, “The hosting of these key events emphasises Lao PDR’s commitment to leading the region toward a sustainable, low-carbon future. ACE’s pivotal role in fostering regional cooperation in the energy sector, along with other low-carbon initiatives, is essential to achieving our climate and energy goals.” 

The findings from AEO8 will be disseminated through a series of country-level events across ASEAN Member States (AMS), supporting knowledge-sharing and capacity-building throughout the region. Lao PDR, as the first country to collaborate with ACE in jointly developing a national-level report on its pathway to net zero, demonstrates its strong commitment to the energy transition and to fostering innovation for a sustainable future. 

Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Manager of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) Department at ACE, highlighted the importance of aligning regional and national planning: “The 8th ASEAN Energy Outlook introduced the Carbon Neutrality Scenario (CNS) at the regional level, which has now been translated into this country-specific roadmap, with Lao PDR as our first partner. Through the AEO and national net zero reports, ACE is committed to supporting ASEAN Member States in advancing regional cooperation for collective energy and climate goals.” 

Aldilla Noor Rakhiemah, Project Manager of the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT), added “The launch of ‘An Energy Sector Roadmap to Net Zero Emissions of Lao PDR’ is a pivotal milestone in Lao PDR’s energy transition journey. ACCEPT plays a key role in strengthening the energy-climate nexus through data-driven analysis and accelerating regional collaboration by conducting regional capacity buildings. This aligned with ACCEPT long-term goal of supporting ASEAN Member States in transitioning to a low-carbon energy system and achieving their net-zero targets”. 

The ASEAN Centre for Energy remains committed to advancing a low-carbon energy future through evidence-based policy recommendations and regional capacity-building efforts. By deepening regional collaboration and expertise, ACE supports ASEAN in implementing sustainable energy solutions and addressing the complex energy-climate nexus.

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About ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) 

Established on 1 January 1999, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an intergovernmental organisation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) structure that represents the 10 ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) interests in the energy sector. ACE supports the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), a blueprint for ASEAN energy sector. The Centre is guided by a Governing Council composed of Senior Officials on Energy from each AMS and a representative from the ASEAN Secretariat as an ex-officio member.  

The three key roles of ACE:  

• As a catalyst to unify and strengthen ASEAN energy cooperation and integration by implementing relevant capacity building programmes and projects to assist the AMS develop their energy sector. 

• As the ASEAN energy data centre and knowledge hub to provide a knowledge repository for the AMS.  

• As an ASEAN energy think tank to assist the AMS by identifying and surfacing innovative solutions for ASEAN’s energy challenges on policies, legal & regulatory frameworks and technologies.  

Keeping the region’s improvement, sustainable and harmless to the ecosystem is a fundamental concern of the ASEAN energy sector. Hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia, ACE’s office is located in Jakarta, Indonesia.  

For more information on ACE, visit the official ACE website: aseanenergy.org. 
For further information, please contact: Communications at ACE – [email protected] 

About ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project Phase II (ACCEPT II)  

The ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) Phase 2 is a collaboration between the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) is funded by the Norwegian Government, under the Norwegian-ASEAN Regional Integration Programme (NARIP). The 48-month project officially began on 1 November 2022 as a continuation of ACCEPT Phase 1.  

One of the key objectives of ACCEPT II is to support the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Programme Area No. 6, Regional Energy Policy and Planning, Outcome-based Strategy (OBS) 6, “Promote Information Sharing on the Energy-Climate Nexus”, which was initiated by ACCEPT Phase 1.  

ACCEPT II supports the ASEAN Member States in transitioning to a low-carbon energy system and achieving carbon neutrality. The project enhances ACE’s governance effectiveness on climate-related energy issues, promotes gender equality, and advances knowledge, capacity building, and regional collaboration on the energy-climate nexus.