Bali, Indonesia - May 2025 - A new regional initiative aimed at accelerating Asia's transition to clean energy was officially launched last week in Bali, Indonesia. The Green Energy Network - Asia (GEN-A) brings together energy leaders from across the region to build collaboration, share knowledge, and support innovative policy and financing strategies essential for a just and effective green energy transition.
Structured as an inaugural GEN-A conference, the launch brought together over 40 participants from more than 10 countries. Attendees included senior representatives from energy regulators, utilities, financiers, independent power producers (IPPs), think tanks, and data providers. The event was organised by the Griffith Asia Institute in collaboration with GEN-A partners including the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), the Pakistan-China Institute, and Climate Smart Ventures.
The conference was formally opened by Professor Christoph Nedopil, founding member of GEN-A and Director of the Griffith Asia Institute, who emphasised the importance of greater regional cooperation in clean energy:
"We initiated GEN-A to address a crucial gap in Asia's green energy transition: collaboration and knowledge sharing among the different Asian energy decision-makers - many of which face similar challenges: finance, IPP design, working with Chinese suppliers, or grid stability."
Professor Nedopil's opening remarks were followed by Keynote speeches delivered by the Honorable Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Kharal, Minister of State for Climate Change, Pakistan, and Mr Zainal Arifin, Executive Vice President of Renewable Energy, PT PLN Persero, Indonesia. Their participation underscored the strong commitment of both regional governments and private sector leaders to drive clean energy developments and deepen cross-border cooperation.
GEN-A's threefold mission-knowledge sharing, networking, and real-world impact-was reflected in a dynamic program that tackled pressing questions: Why are there still so few successful green IPPs in Asia? How can collaboration among utilities, businesses, and investors be improved? What is China's role in enabling the region's transition?
Mr Noorul Arifeen Zuberi, Senior Advisor, China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Limited (C-SAIL) stated:
"In a region as diverse as Asia, GEN-A offers an invaluable platform that connects ideas with action, opening new avenues to partner on innovative IPP models and cross-border solutions that drive sustainable development - all priorities are deeply aligned with C-SAIL's strategic vision."
Key themes explored during the conference included:
- The barriers and potential of scaling green IPPs, including emerging business models for small-scale solar;
- Innovative financing tools to overcome the challenges of investing in emerging markets;
- The role of carbon markets and regulatory frameworks in enabling energy policy reform;
- Case studies showcasing both promising and problematic experiences with green IPPs across the region;
- The importance of constructive and pragmatic engagement with China, whose technology, financing, and global influence are critical to regional transition efforts.
Participants highlighted a number of valuable insights. While energy storage and legacy fossil fuel infrastructure continue to pose hurdles, the momentum for green transition is growing. New models of collaboration between utilities and IPPs are taking shape, offering pathways to unlock investment and accelerate clean energy deployment. However, progress on coal retirement remains slow, described by one participant as "steady but glacial."
The launch of GEN-A marks the culmination of several months of preparatory work by the Griffith Asia Institute team, with strong support from regional partners. Bali, with its own ambitious clean energy goals and status as a policy pioneer in Indonesia, provided a fitting venue for this milestone event.
Looking ahead, GEN-A aims to become a central platform for collaboration on the green energy transition in Asia, serving as a hub for cross-border research, capacity building, and policy innovation. As the region faces a complex and urgent energy future, GEN-A hopes to empower stakeholders with the tools, insights, and partnerships needed to deliver real change.
For more information about GEN-A and how to get involved, visit: https://www.griffith.edu.au/research/business/asia-institute/green-transition-and-development-hub/green-energy-network-asia
