By Abbas Nazil
The Asian Development Bank has announced plans to support around $70 billion in new energy and digital infrastructure programmes by 2035, with a major focus on expanding cross-border renewable energy systems and strengthening regional connectivity across Asia and the Pacific.
The initiative is designed to accelerate the integration of power grids between countries, enabling the large-scale movement of renewable electricity across borders while also improving digital infrastructure to support emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Central to the plan is the Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative, which will link national and subregional electricity systems to allow renewable energy to be shared more efficiently across the region, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and improving energy security.
According to the announcement, the programme will mobilise approximately $50 billion by 2035 for cross-border power infrastructure development, involving collaboration between governments, utilities, private investors and development partners.
The investment will target key infrastructure components such as high-voltage transmission lines, substations, energy storage systems and digital grid technologies that enable more flexible and efficient electricity distribution.
It will also support renewable energy generation projects designed specifically for electricity trade, including export-oriented renewable hubs and hybrid systems that combine generation with storage capacity.
By 2035, the bank aims to achieve the integration of around 20 gigawatts of cross-border renewable energy capacity, alongside the construction of approximately 22,000 circuit kilometres of transmission lines connecting multiple countries.
The plan also targets improved electricity access for an estimated 200 million people, particularly in underserved areas, while contributing to a projected 15 percent reduction in regional power sector emissions.
Officials noted that the initiative represents a shift away from isolated bilateral energy agreements toward a more integrated regional energy market, designed to optimise resource sharing and improve system resilience.
In addition to energy infrastructure, the broader programme includes the Asia-Pacific Digital Highway, which is intended to close gaps in broadband connectivity and support digital transformation across developing economies in the region.
The bank emphasised that stronger digital infrastructure will complement energy integration efforts by enabling smarter grid management, data-driven decision-making and wider participation in digital economies.
The combined strategy is expected to enhance economic cooperation, reduce energy costs over time and support long-term decarbonisation goals across participating countries.
The initiative reflects growing regional efforts to align infrastructure development with climate goals, while also addressing rising electricity demand and the need for more sustainable energy systems in fast-growing economies.