On 7 December, ADB approved grants amounting to $7.2 million for the Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade Project that will improve and build the resilience of the aged and inefficient electricity network in Tonga’s capital. Specifically, the grants will finance the rehabilitation of 16.5 kilometers of the medium-voltage transmission network, upgrade 50 kilometers of the low-voltage distribution network in seven villages, climate - and disaster-proof the capital’s electricity network and provide new electricity connections to 59 new households to the grid. ​​​​​​​

The Across-the-Board (AtB) session to discuss the guidance note on large hydropower projects in ADB has been set for 26 January 2023. The presentation will be led by Energy Sector Chief Priyantha Wijayatunga who will be supported by Senior Energy Specialist David Morgado. This guidance note on large hydropower outlines specific guidance for project teams in designing, preparing, and implementing large hydropower projects based on the requirements set under the

On 24 November 2022, the ADB Board approved the policy-based loan for the third subprogram under Sustainable and Inclusive Energy Program in Indonesia. The $500 million loan will support the country’s energy sector reforms in ensuring fiscal sustainability and governance, increase private sector investments in clean energy, and promote green recovery from the corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic.

On 14 November 2022, ADB joined strategic partners in the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOU) under the Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM) exploring the early decommissioning of the first coal-fired plant owned by Cirebon Electric Power (CEP), an independent power producer in Indonesia. The decommissioning of Cirebon-1, a 660-megawatt power plant in West Java could mean a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions for the country.

The International Energy Agency is sounding the alarm bells on electricity access. The tri-crises in the form of the pandemic, inflation, and the energy crisis have practically erased the gains in energy access in the last decades. Increasing prices for food and fuel are hurting the most vulnerable in the developing world where they also have the least capacities and capabilities to cope.  

 

ADB signed a transaction advisory services mandate with Cambodia’s national utility company Électricité du Cambodge (EDC) for the development of 2 gigawatts (GW) of solar power in the country. Through the mandate, ADB will help EDC conduct a nationwide study on opportunities for additional solar power capacity in combination with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), to be implemented from this year through 2030. ADB will also assist EDC in bidding out a 100-megawatt pilot project identified under the study to the private sector, which will build, finance, and operate the project.

ADB approved a $135 million loan for Viet Nam’s first fully electric public transport bus fleet and first national electric vehicle (EV) charging network. The assistance will support Viet Nam’s efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and expand high-tech manufacturing industries. The transport sector in Viet Nam accounts for 18% of the country's annual greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonization of the transport sector through electric mobility will help in achieving the country’s ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

On 19 October, the $18.26 million Renewable Energy for Climate Resilience Project was approved for the construction of the first utility-scale solar photovoltaic power plant in Bhutan.

The power plant that will be built in central-west Bhutan, has a minimum total capacity of 17.38 megawatts peak and will generate 25 gigawatt-hours of electricity yearly. Almost all of Bhutan’s electricity is generated from hydropower. This project will help diversify its sources and help make the country less vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. 

Through the technical assistance project, Indonesia: Electric Transportation and Charging Infrastructure, the Electric Motorcycle Charging Infrastructure Road Map for Indonesia was prepared to assess how Indonesia can pave the way for the shift to electric motorcycles by developing its motorcycle charging infrastructure.

The Energy Sector Group organized a technology briefing on green hydrogen on 6 October to brief senior management of the technology, the current trends in the sector, and what it implies for ADB.  A distinguished panel of speakers provided the depth and breadth of the economics and technical aspects of developing green.