In the last four years, Southeast Asia’s electricity demand has surged by 24%. Yet, despite the falling cost of renewables, nearly 80% of that new demand was met by coal and gas. The problem isn't the technology, it's a "locked-in" market structure that indirectly blocks the green transition

Alexandre Salesse, Partner at BCG, explains how the "Single Buyer" model and "Take or Pay" contracts have created a reliability gold standard at the cost of future flexibility.

He also unpacks the four critical reform levers needed to modernise the grid without triggering blackouts or investor flight.



Learn about:




The Physics of Power: Why electricity is a unique commodity that requires a perfect "bicycle balance" between production and consumption.


The "Sunk Cost" of Coal: How long-term contracts force utilities to prioritise fossil fuels they’ve already paid for, leaving no room for cheaper solar.


Unbundling for Competition: The necessity of separating power purchasers from plant owners to resolve built-in conflicts of interest.


The ASEAN Power Grid: Why it took 14 years to negotiate one wind farm and how a regional framework could fast-track future cross-border projects.


Targeted Subsidies: Moving away from hidden "blanket" subsidies toward transparent, time-bound support for those who need it most.


Avoiding Wishful Thinking: Why Southeast Asia shouldn't aim for immediate, Western-style liberalisation, but rather incremental "flexibility levers."

In the last four years, Southeast Asia’s electricity demand has surged by 24%. Yet, despite the falling cost of renewables, nearly 80% of that new demand was met by coal and gas. The problem isn't the technology, it's a "locked-in" market structure that indirectly blocks the green transitionAlexandre Salesse, Partner at BCG, explains how the "Single Buyer" model and "Take or Pay" contracts have created a reliability gold standard at the cost of future flexibility.He also unpacks the four critical reform levers needed to modernise the grid without triggering blackouts or investor flight.Learn about:<ul><li>The Physics of Power: Why electricity is a unique commodity that requires a perfect "bicycle balance" between production and consumption.</li><li>The "Sunk Cost" of Coal: How long-term contracts force utilities to prioritise fossil fuels they’ve already paid for, leaving no room for cheaper solar.</li><li>Unbundling for Competition: The necessity of separating power purchasers from plant owners to resolve built-in conflicts of interest.</li><li>The ASEAN Power Grid: Why it took 14 years to negotiate one wind farm and how a regional framework could fast-track future cross-border projects.</li><li>Targeted Subsidies: Moving away from hidden "blanket" subsidies toward transparent, time-bound support for those who need it most.</li><li>Avoiding Wishful Thinking: Why Southeast Asia shouldn't aim for immediate, Western-style liberalisation, but rather incremental "flexibility levers."</li></ul>

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Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line