An Energy Policy for ASEAN? Lessons from the EU Experience on Energy Integration, Security, and Decarbonization

The European Union (EU) has redefined the energy sphere in Europe over last 3 decades. Transnational policies targeting liberalization and integration, efficiency, renewables, carbon pricing, security have led to major steps forward terms of a more secure, integrated, environmentally friendly supply. We explore, through lenses paradigm shift transition pathways, how Association Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping might advance its own trilemma greater cooperation. provide evidence that ASEAN lagged behind transition, representing considerable risks multiple forms ‒ most notably, political physical climate from failing meet Paris Agreement targets risk stranded assets if accelerated is achieved. However, could come many forms. By drawing on EU experience, we argue an policy for should explicitly pursue dual pathway strategy yield best outcome trilemma. First, supergrid supported by single market common pricing would green urban industrial demand. Second, distributed smart grids help reap social economic benefits providing electricity rural/remotely located population hitherto not had access electricity. This transnational local approach contrasts with defined at national level. interconnected security, environmental, dividends.