R e s e a r c h a n d O u t l o o k o n  
A s i a n E n e r g y  
I n t e r c o n n e c t i o n  
( B r i e f V e r s i o n )  
Global Energy Interconnection  
Development and Cooperation Organization  
(GEIDCO)  
 
Study Region  
The report covers 46 Asian countries, which are classified into five sub-regions1: East  
Asia includes China, Japan, Republic of Korea (R.O.Korea), Democratic People’s Republic  
of Korea (D.P.R.Korea) and Mongolia; Southeast Asia includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar,  
Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and East Timor;  
South Asia includes India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Maldives;  
Central Asia includes Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan;  
West Asia includes Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait,  
Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Georgia,  
Armenia and Azerbaijan.  
Study Region of Asian Energy Interconnection  
1
This book does not hold any position on the sovereign status of territory, the boundary delimitation of international  
borders and the names of territory, city or area. Turkey and Russia are not included in the study.  
I
Contents  
Study Region ........................................................................................................................ 1  
Contents............................................................................................................................... II  
1 Development in Asia......................................................................................................... 1  
1.1 Economy and Society............................................................................................. 1  
1.2 Resources and Environment................................................................................... 2  
1.3 Energy and Power .................................................................................................. 3  
2 Challenges and Ideas of Sustainable Development ....................................................... 6  
2.1 Development Challenges........................................................................................ 6  
2.2 Development Idea .................................................................................................. 7  
2.3 Development Priorities........................................................................................... 7  
3 Energy and Power Development Trends ........................................................................ 9  
3.1 Energy Demand Outlook........................................................................................ 9  
3.2 Power Demand Outlook....................................................................................... 10  
3.3 Power Supply ....................................................................................................... 11  
4 Development Layout of Clean Energy Resources ....................................................... 13  
4.1 Distribution of Clean Energy Resources.............................................................. 13  
4.2 Layout of Clean Energy Bases............................................................................. 15  
5 Power Grid Interconnection .......................................................................................... 21  
5.1 Power Flow .......................................................................................................... 21  
5.2 Power Grid Pattern............................................................................................... 22  
5.3 Regional Grid Interconnection............................................................................. 24  
5.4 Key Interconnection Projects ............................................................................... 29  
5.5 Investment Estimation.......................................................................................... 32  
6 Comprehensive Benefits................................................................................................. 34  
6.1 Economic Benefits ............................................................................................... 34  
6.2 Social Benefits...................................................................................................... 34  
6.3 Environmental Benefits........................................................................................ 34  
6.4 Political Benefits .................................................................................................. 35  
7 Development Outlook of Achieving 1.5℃ Temperature Control Target.................. 36  
7.1 Situations and Requirements................................................................................ 36  
7.2 Implementation Paths........................................................................................... 36  
7.3 Scenarios and Schemes ........................................................................................ 37  
II  
 
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
1 Development in Asia  
1.1 Economy and Society  
Asia is a driving engine of global economic growth, and the developing  
countries in Asia have fast-growing market demands. In 2017, Asian gross  
domestic product (GDP) was 27.6 trillion USD, accounting for 34% of global GDP  
with per capita GDP reaching 6265 USD. Asia contribution rate to economic growth  
reached 61.7% of global economic growth, with an average GDP growth rate of 3.5%.  
Two thirds of developing countries have sped up their economic growth.  
Asia is the most populous continent in the world, Southeast Asia has superior  
advantages in the workforce market, and the talent dividends in China, Japan and  
R.O.Korea gradually emerged. In 2017, the population of Asia totaled 4.4 billion,  
accounting for about 59% of the world population. China and India, with 1.42 billion  
and 1.34 billion people, respectively, account for 62.7% of Asia’s population. Southeast  
Asia, South Asia and Central Asia offer relatively low labor prices, so they have the  
advantage to develop labor-intensive industries. In China, Japan, R.O.Korea and  
Singapore, the advantage of labor costs is waning, but they have many talents with  
favorable knowledge and technological literacy. Therefore, the talent dividends from  
high-quality talents are emerging.  
Asian countries have highly complementary industry, and are highly  
dependent on each other in economic and trade. The inter-region and regions in Asia  
all sit on the development gradient, with significant complementary advantages of  
industrial structures. East Asia has a highly mature market and well-developed industry  
sectors. South Asia and Southeast Asia are largely composed of developing countries,  
which mainly export agricultural products and import manufactured goods and  
industrial equipment. Central Asia and West Asia have abundant oil resources, their  
economy relies heavily on oil and mining trade. Asia’s intra-regional trade share rose  
to 57.8% in 2017, recording an all-time high. The Asian economy’s internal dependence  
increased by 3.5 percentage points in 2017 to 54.2%. Intra-regional trade accounted for  
over 60% of ASEAN countries’ trade, approximately 50% of China, Japan and  
R.O.Korea trade, and around 40% of India trade.  
To realize quicker economic development, Asian countries have drawn up  
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Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
practicable economic development plans. Asian countries have formulated economic  
development plans based on their own development stages that are in line with the  
transformation and development direction. Based on their economic characteristics and  
advantages, Asian countries will cultivate an endogenous driving force for sustainable  
development and new points for economic growth. China, Japan, R.O.Korea and NIEs  
are transitioning to high-end manufacturing. Central Asia and West Asia are  
transforming from a resource-dependent industry to a diversified industrial economy.  
Southeast Asia and South Asia are on course to be fast-growing manufacturing  
industries.  
1.2 Resources and Environment  
Mineral resources and Fossil fuel are rich and unevenly distributed. Asia has  
large reserves of resources and with many kinds of minerals. The reserves of  
magnesium, iron and tin rank first in the world, especially the reserves of tin account  
for more than 60% of the world’s total. Asia is rich in coal resources, with detected  
reserves of about 319.6 billion tonnes, accounting for 30% in the world. It is mainly  
distributed in China, India, Indonesia and Kazakhstan, accounting for 95% of Asia’s  
coal reserves1. Asia’s oil resources are very rich, with detected reserves of about 124.2  
billion tonnes, accounting for 46% in the world. It is mainly distributed in West Asia  
such as Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, accounting for 91% of Asia’s oil  
reserves. Asia’s natural gas resources are also very rich, with detected reserves of about  
116 trillion m3, accounting for 58% in the world and are mainly in Qatar, Iran and  
Turkmenistan, which accounts for 66% of Asia’s natural gas reserves.  
The carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion in Asia is  
large. In 2016, the annual CO2 emissions were about 17.1 billion tonnes, accounting  
for 53% of the global total. CO2 emissions come mainly from coal, and are mainly from  
the power generation and heating sector. CO2 emissions from coal, oil and natural gas  
combustion accounted for 62%, 24% and 14%, respectively, and those from fossil fuel  
consumption in power generation and the heating sector accounted for 48.3% of the  
total.  
1
Source: BP, Statistical Review of World Energy, 2019.  
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Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
1.3 Energy and Power  
Energy production is dominated by fossil fuels, and the total amount grows  
rapidly. From 2000 to 2016, energy production in Asia increased from 5.3 billion  
tonnes of coal equivalent (tce) to 9 billion tce, with an average annual growth rate of  
3.4%, and ranked first in the world.Per capita energy production is 2.0 tce, which is  
77% of the global average. Fossil fuel accounts for more than 80% of primary  
energy demand. The total primary energy demand in Asia increased significantly  
from 4.96 billion tce in 2000 to 9.50 billion tce in 2016, with an average annual growth  
rate of 4.1%. The proportion of fossil fuel in Asia increased from 77% to 83%. Final  
energy consumption is dominated by fossil fuel, and the proportion of electricity  
increases. From 2000 to 2016, the total final energy consumption in Asia increased  
from 3.31 billion tce to 6.23 billion tce, with an average annual growth rate of 4.0%.  
The proportion of coal, oil and natural gas consumption was 21%, 34% and 11%,  
respectively, and the proportion of electricity increased to 22%.  
Figure 1-1 Primary Energy Consumption Structure in Asia in 2016  
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Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Figure 1-2 Final Energy Consumption Structure in Asia in 2016  
The proportion of Asia’s power demand is the largest in the world, with total  
amount rapidly growing. Asia’s electricity consumption in 2016 was about 11 PWh,  
accounting for about 49% of the world’s total. From 2010 to 2016, electricity  
consumption in Asia grew at an average annual rate of 4.7%. The overall electricity  
accessibility rate in Asia is about 95%. There are still about 240 million people without  
access to electricity, mainly in South and Southeast Asia. The per capita electricity  
consumption in Asia is 2500 kWh and less than half of the world average. Power  
generation installed capacity of clean energy accounts for about one third of total.  
In 2016, the power generation installed capacity in Asia was about 3.14 TW. Clean  
energy installed capacity was about 1.04 TW, accounting for 33%. Among them,  
hydropower installed capacity was about 0.54 TW, accounting for about 17%. Per capita  
installed capacity is about 0.7 kW, slightly lower than the world average (0.8 kW).  
The development level of power grids of each country is quite different, and  
there is a preliminary foundation in the cross-border interconnection of power  
grids. China has built the world’s largest and most configurable Ultra High Voltage  
(UHV) AC/DC hybrid power grid. Japan, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and  
other countries have formed a 400/500/765 kV AC backbone grid. In East Asia,  
Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia, many cross-border  
transmission channels have been built.  
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Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Table 1-1 Power Development in Asia in 2016  
Power  
Annual per  
generation  
installed  
capacity  
(TW)  
Electricity  
consumption  
(TWh)  
capita  
electricity  
consumption  
(kWh)  
Access to  
electricity  
(%)  
Peak load  
(GW)  
Region  
East Asia  
Southeast  
Asia  
South Asia  
Central  
2.14  
7616  
838  
4639  
1287  
142  
208  
41  
99  
95  
0.23  
0.41  
0.05  
1305  
752  
1303  
208  
90  
2975  
100  
Asia  
West Asia  
0.31  
3.14  
990  
3330  
2500  
230  
97  
95  
Asia  
10955  
1908  
Figure 1-3 Power Generation Installed Capacity Structure in Asia in 2016  
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Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
2 Challenges and Ideas of Sustainable  
Development  
2.1 Development Challenges  
There is wide gap in economic development among Asian countries. Only 11  
out of 46 Asian countries have GDP per capita above the world average, while most are  
still at a low level. At the same time, the income gap between the rich and poor among  
and within Asian regions is also very prominent. In 2017, the per capita GDP gap of  
East Asia was nearly 6 times that of South Asia1. More than 40% of the world’s poverty  
population live in South Asia and Southeast Asia. South Asia’s annual per capita  
electricity consumption is less than a quarter of the global average, and 180 million  
people have no access to electricity. In Southeast Asia, annual per capita electricity  
consumption is only 60% of the global average, and there are still 30 million people  
without access to electricity.  
Energy security issue is severe. South Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia are  
short in oil and natural gas resources. The detected oil and natural gas reserves  
respectively accounted for 2% and 8% of the global total. However, the oil and natural  
gas consumptions respectively accounted for 35% and 20% of the global total. China,  
Japan, R.O.Korea, and India rely heavily on the import of oil and natural gas, and their  
dependence on imports continues to rise. The dependence of Japan and R.O.Korea on  
oil and natural gas is close to 100%.  
Asia is confronted with tremendous pressure to address climate change. From  
2014, the CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion in Asia kept about 17 billion  
tonnes per year, ranking first in all the continents. From 1998 to 2017, 3.7 billion people  
in Asia were affected by climate disasters, accounting for half of the global total. Most  
Asian countries are still in the early or middle stages of industrialization. With economic  
and social development, population growth and future industrialization advancement,  
the demand for energy consumption will continue to expand. If the current energy  
supply structure dominated by fossil energy continues, GHG emissions will continue to  
increase, making the risk of climate change higher and mitigation more difficult.  
1
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators.  
6
   
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
2.2 Development Idea  
The key of achieving sustainable development of Asia is to speed up the  
development of clean energy, strengthen energy infrastructure connectivity, and  
build Asian Energy Interconnection, so as to create a platform for large-scale  
development, wide-range transmission and efficient utilization of clean energy to  
ensure safety, adequate, economic and efficient energy supply and accelerate green  
and low-carbon development. Asian Energy Interconnection is an important part  
of the GEI. The idea of Asian Energy Interconnection: It will ensure sustainable  
energy supply through clean development by accelerating the development of abundant  
hydro, solar and wind energy resources in Asia, so as to promote the transition to green  
and low-carbon energy. It will increase the proportion of electricity in final energy  
consumption through technological innovation and enhance energy efficiency, so as to  
effectively address climate change and environmental pollution. It will promote the  
transition of the energy development model and the economic and industrial  
development model through the co-development of “Electricity, Mining, Metallurgy,  
Manufacturing and Trade”. It will also promote electricity integration in Asia through  
energy and power interconnection to enhance regional vitality, thus achieving a  
balanced and sustainable development in Asia.  
2.3 Development Priorities  
Actively developing clean energy, and comprehensively optimizing energy  
structure. Given the advantages of resources in these countries, Asia should prioritize  
hydropower in Southeast Asia and Southwest China, spare no effort to develop the solar  
and wind power in West Asia, Central Asia and Northwest China, and moderately  
develop the geothermal and tidal power of Southeast Asia. Asia should set clean energy  
dominated development goals and directions to cut excessive dependency of these  
countries on fossil fuel.  
Improving the proportion of electricity in the final energy and promoting  
regional energy transition and upgrading. Electricity is a clean, efficient, convenient  
and widely used secondary energy, as well as an indispensable means of production and  
livelihood in modern society. To accelerate the development of Asia’s clean energy,  
while promoting industrialization and urbanization, Asia should comprehensively  
enhance the availability of clean energy and electrification levels of all industries,  
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Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
continuously create new technologies which use clean energy, boost the efficiency of  
energy use, reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants, effectively combat  
climate change and environmental pollution, and improve the living environment.  
Promoting the Co-development Model of “Electricity, Mining, Metallurgy,  
Manufacturing and Trade” (Co-development Model) and creating new economic  
growth points. Relying on Asia’s abundant clean energy and mineral resources, Asian  
Energy Interconnection will promote the Co-development Model to form an industrial  
chain featuring shared benefits and win-win cooperation between the upstream and  
downstream sectors to achieve a virtuous circle of capital investment, resource  
development, industrial development, and export earnings. Thus Asian should  
transform resource advantages into economic advantages, build pillar industries, and  
increase growth drivers. By fundamentally changing the mode of energy development  
and that of economic and industrial development will ensure sustainable development  
in Asia.  
Facilitating energy interconnection to fuel the vitality of regional  
development. By encouraging countries across the region to pursue policy interaction,  
power grid interconnection, unimpeded trade and seamless cooperation, Asia should  
prompt these countries to speed up the construction and upgrading of their respective  
domestic power grid interconnection, implement cross-border power grid  
interconnection projects, build long-standing cooperation mechanisms, institute more  
inclusive energy development systems. Enhance power integration in Asia, safeguard  
sustainable energy security and build a clean, low-carbon, closely interconnected  
energy community that pursues win-win cooperation.  
8
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
3 Energy and Power Development Trends  
3.1 Energy Demand Outlook  
Primary energy demand will grow steadily. In 2050, Asia’s primary energy  
demand will continue to grow to 14.93 billion tce, with an average annual growth rate  
of 1.3%. The per capita primary energy demand is above the current global  
average. In 2050, Asia’s per capita energy demand will increase to 2.9 tce, exceeding  
the current world average. Energy intensity will drop to the current OECD national  
level. In 2050, the energy consumption per unit of GDP in Asia will drop to 0.15 tce per  
thousand USD, accounting for a decrease of 58%, reaching the current OECD average.  
The fossil fuels demand will begin to decline rapidly, and the energy structure  
will gradually shift from fossil fuel dominated to clean energy dominated. In 2050,  
the proportion of coal, oil and natural gas in Asia’s primary energy demand will fall to  
7%, 11% and 13%, respectively, and the proportion of wind and solar energy will reach  
47%. Asia’s clean energy will increase to 9.69 billion tce. The proportion of clean  
energy in primary energy demand will increase significantly to 69%1. Before 2040,  
clean energy will surpass fossil fuel to become the dominant energy resource in Asia.  
Figure 3-1 Primary Energy Demand by Fuel in Asia  
The share of electricity in final energy in Asia rises continuously, which will  
become the highest final energy resource around 2030. In 2050, the final energy  
1
When calculating the share of various energy in total primary energy, the fossil energy that used for non-energy  
use purpose will not be counted. Same for the follows.  
9
   
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
consumption will reach 8.92 billion tce in 2050, compared to the level in 2016, the  
consumption will increase by 43%. Around 2030, electricity will surpass oil to be the  
dominant final energy resource. In 2050, the proportion of electricity in final energy  
consumption will increase to 55%.  
Figure 3-2 Final Energy Consumption by Fuel and Share of Electricity in Asia  
3.2 Power Demand Outlook  
The electricity consumption in Asia will increase steadily, and the  
consumption in 2035 and 2050 will be 2.3 and 3.3 times that in 2016, respectively.  
Electricity consumption in Asia will rise from 11 PWh in 2016 to 24.9 PWh in 2035  
and 36.3 PWh in 2050. The annual growth rate of electricity consumption in Asia will  
be about 4.4% from 2016 to 2035, and 2.5% from 2036 to 2050. The maximum load  
in Asia will increase from 1.91 TW in 2016 to 4.32 TW in 2035 and 6.33 TW in 2050.  
The proportion of Asia’s electricity consumption in the world will increase from 49%  
in 2016 to 59% in 2050.  
Table 3-1 Electricity Consumption by Region in Asia  
Electricity  
Electricity  
consumption  
(PWh)  
Peak load  
growth  
rate (%)  
consumption  
growth rate  
(%)  
Peak load  
(TW)  
Region  
2016~ 2035~  
2016~ 2035~  
2016 2035 2050  
2016 2035 2050  
2035  
2050  
2035  
2050  
East Asia 7.6 14.1 16.9  
Southeast  
3.3  
1.2  
1.29 2.42 2.93  
0.14 0.36 0.58  
3.4  
1.3  
0.9  
2.0  
3.2  
4.6  
8.2  
3.1  
5.0  
8.4  
3.3  
4.9  
Asia  
South  
Asia  
1.3  
5.9 11.7  
4.7  
0.21 0.96 1.95  
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Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Central  
Asia  
West  
Asia  
0.2  
1.0  
0.4  
2.5  
0.6  
3.9  
3.7  
2.7  
0.04 0.07 0.11  
3.1  
2.7  
5.13  
4.4  
2.9  
2.5  
0.23 0.51 0.77  
1.91 4.32 6.33  
4.3  
4.4  
2.8  
2.6  
Asia  
11.0 24.9 36.3  
Per capita electricity consumption will increase significantly. From 2016 to  
2050, the per capita electricity consumption in Asia will increase from 2500 kWh to  
7035 kWh, and the per capita electricity consumption in 2050 will be 2.8 times that in  
2016. In 2050, Asia will achieve the goal of 100% access to electricity, and the  
production and daily needs of everyone can be met. With the wide application of  
innovation technologies such as power generation, power transmission and  
distribution, smart distribution network and micro-grid, the power supply will be  
reliable for the poor in South and Southeast Asia. Asia will comprehensively solve the  
problem of an electricity-free population.  
3.3 Power Supply  
In the future, the trend of power supply in Asia will be the clean development  
of power generation installed capacity structures and ensure economical and  
reliable power supply in a clean and green way.  
The competitiveness of clean energy power generation will be significantly  
enhanced, and the competitiveness of PV and onshore wind power is expected to  
surpass that of fossil fuel by 2025. By 2050, the global average LCOE of centrally  
developed PV and wind power will fall to to 1.5 US cents/kWh and 2.6 US cents/kWh,  
respectively.  
Figure 3-3 Forecast LCOE for PV and Onshore Wind Power in Asia  
Power generation installed capacity of clean energy will grow rapidly. By 2035  
11  
 
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
and 2050, the total power generation installed capacity in Asia will be 9.26 TW and  
15.75 TW, respectively, three times and five times that of 2016, respectively.  
Figure 3-4 Outlook for Power Generation Installed Capacity in Asia  
The proportion of clean energy installed will increase. By 2035 and 2050, the  
power generation installed capacity of clean energy in Asia will be 6.5 TW and 13.2  
TW, respectively, from 33% in 2016 to 70% in 2035 and 84% in 2050. In the power  
generation installed capacity of clean energy, the proportion of solar and wind power  
will increase from 4% and 6% in 2016 to 48% and 22% in 2050, respectively. Asia’s  
power generation of clean energy will be 15.5 PWh in 2035 and 29.8 PWh in 2050,  
accounting for 61% and 80%.  
Figure 3-5 Structure of Installed Capacity in Asia  
12  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
4 Development Layout of Clean Energy  
Resources  
4.1 Distribution of Clean Energy Resources  
Asia is rich in clean energy resources, and the clean energy resources,  
population and economic centers are inversely distributed. The clean energy  
resources are mainly distributed on two energy belts. One belt of solar and wind  
resources stretches from West Asia, Central Asia, northwest China, Mongolia to  
northeast China. The other belt of hydropower stretches from northern South Asia,  
southwest China, Myanmar to Laos. Population and economic centers in Asia are  
mainly located along the eastern Pacific coast and the southern Indian Ocean coast,  
showing a reverse distribution to clean energy.  
Figure 4-1 Distribution of Clean Energy Resources and Population Density in  
Asia  
Hydro Energy. The theoretical potential of hydropower resources in Asia is  
about 18 PWh/year, and is mainly distributed along the Yarlung Zangbo River, Nu  
River, Lancang River, Jinsha River, Dadu River, Irrawaddy River, Salween River,  
Mekong River, Ganges River, Brahmaputra River, Indus River, the Amu Darya and  
the Syr Darya.  
13  
   
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Figure 4-2 Illustration of the Main River Basins in Asia  
Wind Energy. Wind energy resources in Asia are relatively rich with a theoretical  
potential of approximately 500 PWh/year and the exploited ratio is less than 0.01%. At  
1
a height of 100 m from the ground, wind speed ranges from 2 m/s to 12 m/s . Also,  
there are several areas with wind speed exceeding 7 m/s throughout the year, mainly in  
western Afghanistan, eastern Iran, southwestern Iraq, central Saudi Arabia,  
southeastern coast of Oman, Kazakhstan, southern Mongolia, as well as northern and  
southwestern China.  
Solar Energy. Solar energy resources in Asia are abundant. The theoretical  
potential is 37500 PWh/year with less than 0.01% exploited. The global horizontal  
irradiance (GHI) in Asia ranges between 800 kWh/m2 and 2700 kWh/m2. 2 The regions  
with GHI exceeding 2000 kWh/m2 include mainly Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman,  
the UAE, Qatar, southern Iran, southern Afghanistan, western Pakistan as well as  
southwestern China.  
1
Source: VORTEX.  
Source: SOLARGIS.  
2
14  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Figure 4-3 Distribution of Annual Average Wind Speed in Asia  
Figure 4-4 Distribution of Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) in Asia  
4.2 Layout of Clean Energy Bases  
In the areas with rich resources, centralized development of clean energy can take  
advantage of scale efficiency, which is conducive to reduce the cost. By 2050, more  
than 100 large-scale clean energy bases will be built, with installed capacity of 4.25  
TW.  
Hydropower bases in Asia will be mainly developed on Yarlung Zangbo River,  
Nu River, Lancang River, Jinsha River, Dadu River, Irrawaddy River, Salween River,  
Mekong River, Ganges River, Brahmaputra River, Indus River, the Amu Darya and the  
Syr Darya. By 2050, About 550 GW installed capacity of hydropower will be realised  
in major river basins.  
15  
 
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Table 4-1 Hydropower Bases in Asia  
Technical  
potential  
(GW)  
Exploited  
ratio  
Installed capacity in Installed capacity in  
Basin/Region  
2035 (GW)  
2050 (GW)  
(%)  
Yarlung  
Zangbo  
172.58  
-
-
72  
River  
Nu River  
Lancang  
River  
36  
-
36  
31  
36  
32  
38.75  
59  
Jinsha River  
Dadu River  
Yalong River  
North  
Myanmar  
Southeast  
Myanmar  
INorth Laos  
Kalimantan  
Ganges  
108  
32.5  
34.2  
55  
63  
56  
78  
25  
27  
81  
27  
29  
20  
14  
1
3
5
17  
13  
11  
14  
44  
24  
8
11  
30  
13  
39  
62.5  
39  
11  
7
36  
24  
56  
35  
River  
Brahmaputra  
River  
Indus River  
Amu Darya  
Syr Darya  
Total  
90  
45.5  
14.5  
26  
9
20  
-
50  
9
9
80  
12  
12  
765.53  
382  
554  
Wind power bases in Asia will be developed in China and Mongolia of East Asia,  
Kazakhstan of Central Asia and Southeast of West Asia. By 2050, 71 large wind power  
bases will be built with a total installed capacity of 1.16 TW.  
Figure 4-2 Wind Power Bases in Asia  
Installed  
capacity  
in 2035  
Installed  
capacity  
in 2050  
Technical  
potential  
（GW）  
No.  
Location  
Country  
（GW） （GW）  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Altay, Xinjiang  
Tacheng, Xinjiang  
Changji, Xinjiang  
Bortala, Xinjiang  
Hami, Xinjiang  
China  
China  
20  
24  
10  
20  
10  
20  
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
90  
35.2  
49  
35.2  
49  
55  
140  
18  
10  
10  
Turpan, Xinjiang  
Ruoqiang, Xinjiang  
Jiuquan, Gansu  
15  
15  
48  
10  
10  
120  
65  
20  
20  
Alxa, Nei Mongol  
China  
24  
24  
16  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Installed  
capacity  
in 2035  
Installed  
capacity  
in 2050  
Technical  
potential  
（GW）  
No.  
Location  
Country  
（GW） （GW）  
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
10  
11  
12  
13  
14  
15  
16  
17  
18  
19  
20  
21  
22  
23  
24  
25  
26  
27  
28  
29  
30  
31  
32  
33  
34  
35  
36  
37  
38  
39  
40  
41  
42  
43  
44  
Baynnur, Nei Mongol  
Ordos, Nei Mongol  
Ulanqab, Nei Mongol  
Xilin Gol, Nei Mongol  
Hulun Buir, Nei Mongol  
Tongliao, Nei Mongol  
Chifeng, Nei Mongol  
Baicheng, Jilin  
Songyuan, Jilin  
Siping, Jilin  
30  
20  
65  
45  
70  
50  
24  
20  
20  
15  
25  
79  
15  
80  
20  
20  
30  
25  
10  
15  
10.5  
16.5  
18  
21  
27  
9.9  
17  
10.5  
10  
18  
7
20  
18  
24  
20  
20  
20  
20  
8
20  
18  
24  
20  
20  
20  
20  
8
China  
China  
8
8
China  
China  
China  
5
5
Changchun, Jilin  
Bashang, Hebei  
Coast of Guangxi  
Coast of Guangdong  
Coast of Fujian  
Coast of Zhejiang  
Coast of Jiangsu  
Coast of Shandong  
Coast of Liaoning  
Wakkanai  
6
6
36  
8
36  
8
China  
China  
65  
10  
10  
20  
14  
5
65  
10  
10  
20  
14  
5
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
Japan  
Japan  
8
8
Suzu  
5
5
Kilchu  
D.P.R.Korea  
R.O.Korea  
Mongolia  
Mongolia  
Mongolia  
Mongolia  
Mongolia  
Vietnam  
7
7
Pohang  
7
7
Choybalsan  
1
1
Mandalgovi  
1
1
Omnodelger  
2
2
Choir  
16  
8
16  
8
Tavan Tolgoi  
Quang Ngai  
8
8
Binh Thuan  
Vietnam  
15  
6
15  
6
Ninh Thuan  
Vietnam  
Yasothon  
Thailand  
Myanmar  
Philippines  
Philippines  
6
5
5
Mandalay  
5.5  
8.5  
14  
5
5
Bangui  
8
8
Southern Tagalog  
11.5  
11.5  
17  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Installed  
capacity  
in 2035  
Installed  
capacity  
in 2050  
Technical  
potential  
（GW）  
No.  
Location  
Country  
（GW） （GW）  
Jaisalmer  
Paggio  
Rajkot  
India  
India  
45  
46  
47  
48  
49  
50  
51  
52  
53  
54  
55  
56  
57  
58  
59  
60  
61  
62  
63  
64  
65  
66  
67  
68  
69  
70  
71  
55  
40  
50  
55  
30  
40  
25  
30  
30  
20  
15  
30  
25  
30  
25  
25  
15  
8
54  
40  
50  
54  
30  
38  
24  
17  
25  
8
54  
40  
50  
54  
30  
38  
24  
17  
25  
8
India  
Bhuj  
India  
Saurapur  
Bellary  
Chennai  
Tiruppur  
Tuticorin  
Mannar  
Jaffna  
India  
India  
India  
India  
India  
Sri Lanka  
Sri Lanka  
Pakistan  
Pakistan  
Pakistan  
Kazakhstan  
Kazakhstan  
Kazakhstan  
Kazakhstan  
Kazakhstan  
Saudi Arabia  
Oman  
7
7
Galo  
20  
10  
15  
19  
19  
9
20  
10  
15  
19  
19  
9
Kinpier  
Baloch  
Atyrau  
Mangistau  
Karaganda  
Zhambyl  
7
7
Turkestan  
8
6
6
Addammam  
45  
45  
20  
15  
40  
35  
30  
50  
2293.4  
40  
8
40  
8
Lakabi  
Ras Madrakah  
Al Ghuwariyah  
Taizz  
Oman  
2
2
Qatar  
2
2
Yemen  
Syria  
5
5
Aleppo  
1
1
Birjand  
Iran  
1
1
Herat  
Afghanistan  
4
4
Total  
646.7  
1158.7  
Solar power bases in Asia will be concentrated in Western China, Mongolia in  
East Asia, India and Pakistan in South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia. By 2050, 56  
large solar power bases will be built with a total installed capacity of 2.54 TW.  
18  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Figure 4-3 Solar Power Bases in Asia  
Installed  
capacity  
in 2035  
Installed  
capacity  
in 2050  
Technical  
potential  
（GW）  
No.  
Location  
Country  
（GW） （GW）  
1
2
Changji, Xinjiang  
Hami, Xinjiang  
Turpan, Xinjiang  
Korla, Xinjiang  
Aksu, Xinjiang  
Kashi, Xinjiang  
Hotan, Xinjiang  
Minfeng, Xinjiang  
Qiemo, Xinjiang  
Ruoqiang, Xinjiang  
Hainan, Qinghai  
Delhi, Qinghai  
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
China  
35  
94  
94  
120  
70  
145  
70  
56  
56  
53  
50  
50  
50  
8
13  
22  
22  
30  
15  
34  
20  
16  
16  
15  
30  
30  
49  
22  
3
7
-
4
5
12  
-
6
7
10  
-
8
9
16  
15  
30  
10  
11  
12  
13  
25.2  
-
Golmud, Qinghai  
Ejin Qi, Alxa, Nei  
Mongol  
Alxa Youqi, Alxa, Nei  
Mongol  
14  
15  
China  
China  
190  
65  
73.8  
180  
70  
58.6  
15  
15  
5
85  
40  
25  
10  
8
16  
17  
18  
19  
20  
21  
22  
23  
24  
25  
26  
27  
28  
29  
30  
31  
32  
33  
Baynnur, Nei Mongol  
Qamdo, Xizang  
Lhasa, Xizang  
Choir  
China  
China  
China  
Mongolia  
Mongolia  
Mongolia  
India  
190  
50  
100  
112  
293  
120  
115  
95  
8
-
Gurvantes  
Tawan Tolgoi  
Korna  
1
-
4
36  
40  
32  
30  
28  
24  
16  
32  
20  
28  
36  
16  
90  
100  
80  
75  
70  
60  
40  
80  
50  
70  
90  
40  
Jaisalmer  
Patan  
India  
India  
Bhuj  
India  
150  
100  
80  
Rajkot  
India  
Dhule  
India  
Aurangabad  
Pavagada  
Madurai  
India  
75  
India  
105  
80  
India  
Quetta  
Pakistan  
Pakistan  
135  
155  
130  
Khuzdar  
Pakistan  
Matiari  
19  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Installed  
capacity  
in 2035  
Installed  
capacity  
in 2050  
Technical  
potential  
（GW）  
No.  
Location  
Country  
（GW） （GW）  
34  
35  
36  
37  
38  
39  
40  
41  
42  
43  
44  
45  
46  
47  
48  
49  
50  
51  
52  
53  
54  
55  
56  
Kilinochchi  
Turkestan  
Kapchagay  
Muynak  
Kungrad  
Turkmenabat  
Mary  
Sri Lanka  
30  
60  
7.6  
17.6  
16.6  
2
15  
38  
38  
6
Kazakhstan  
Kazakhstan  
Uzbekistan  
60  
10  
Uzbekistan  
40  
15.5  
1.6  
32  
5
Turkmenistan  
Turkmenistan  
Turkmenistan  
Saudi Arabia  
Saudi Arabia  
Saudi Arabia  
Saudi Arabia  
Saudi Arabia  
20  
20  
1.6  
5
Dushak  
Aflaji  
30  
3.2  
14  
80  
70  
50  
100  
75  
80  
100  
37  
75  
65  
52  
75  
60  
55  
10  
2540.8  
115  
105  
75  
40  
Al Obadiah  
Riyadh  
35  
25  
Ha’il  
130  
110  
115  
110  
100  
85  
50  
Tabuk  
37.5  
40  
Shalim  
Oman  
UAE  
Sweihan  
Ma’an  
50  
Jordan  
Iraq  
18.5  
37.5  
32.5  
26  
Alamarah  
Annajaf  
Homs  
Iraq  
75  
Syria  
Iran  
110  
120  
105  
100  
70  
Shiraz  
37.5  
30  
Iran  
Iran  
Zahedan  
Birjand  
27.5  
4
Kandahar  
Afghanistan  
Total  
5263  
1206.5  
20  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
5 Power Grid Interconnection  
5.1 Power Flow  
To coordinate power development, power demand distribution and the layout of  
clean energy development, the roles of the five regions are as follows: East Asia will  
be a major load center and a power dispatching platform in Asia. Southeast Asia  
indispensable in supporting power demand, will become a power interchange station  
for China with South Asia, and Oceania with Asia. South Asia is a power load center  
in Asia, with receiving a clean power from China, Southeast Asia and West Asia.  
Central Asia and West Asia will be important clean energy bases. On the basis of  
meeting local power demand, they will also transmit electricity to East Asia, South  
Asia, Europe and Africa.  
Figure 5-1 Development Orientations in Asian Regions  
Power flow in Asia is generally featured by power transmission from West  
to East, North to South. Inter-continental, Asia will transmit power to Europe,  
complement with Africa and receive power from Oceania. By 2035, the inter-  
continental and inter-regional power flow will reach 23 GW and 71.3 GW, respectively,  
with a combined volume of 94.3 GW. By 2050, the inter-continental and inter-regional  
power flow will reach 51 GW and 148 GW, respectively, with a combined volume of  
21  
   
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
about 200 GW.  
Figure 5-2 Illustration of Inter-Continental and Inter-Regional Power Flow in  
Asian Energy Interconnection by 2050  
5.2 Power Grid Pattern  
Four priorities are proposed for power grids development in Asia. The first is  
to speed up outbound power transmission from large-scale clean energy bases such as  
solar power in West Asia, wind and solar power in Central Asia, and hydropower in  
Southeast Asia. This aims at transforming resource superiority to economic benefits.  
The second is to accelerate the construction of power grids in Southeast Asia and South  
Asia to enhance power accessibility. The third is to expedite cross-border  
interconnection in East Asia to diversify power supply channels. The fourth is to give  
full play to UHV technologies and speed up inter-continental and inter-regional grid  
interconnection. Such efforts are spared to advance large-capacity “center-to-center”  
interconnection between clean energy bases and load centers through direct supply and  
transmission of power.  
Asia is interconnected with neighboring Europe, Africa and Oceania. Such a  
geological layout enables a “Four Horizontal and Three Vertical” network of inter-  
continental and inter-regional channels of power interconnection to be formed. This  
network is vital in the GEI Backbone Grid.  
22  
 
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Figure 5-3 Illustration of Power Grid Interconnection Pattern in Asia  
By 2035, inter-continental interconnection will take its initial shape. Inter-regional  
interconnection of five regions will be formed within the continent. Inter-continental: To  
construct Kazakhstan-Germany, Saudi Arabia-Turkey- Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia-Egypt DC  
projects will transmit solar and wind power in Central Asia as well as solar power in West Asia  
to Europe and Africa, respectively. To construct Ethiopia-Saudi Arabia DC project will transmit  
East Africa’s hydropower to West Asia to achieve a joint regulation between hydro and solar  
power. Intra-continental: To construct Kazakhstan-China, Saudi Arabia-Pakistan and UAE-  
India DC projects will transmit wind and solar power from Central Asia as well as solar power  
from West Asia to the load centers in East and South Asia. To construct Tajikistan-Pakistan DC  
project will transmit Central Asia’s hydropower to the load centers in South Asia. To construct  
China-Southeast Asia DC project will transmit clean energy from southwestern China to load  
centers in Southeast Asia. To construct China-Pakistan DC project will transmit wind and solar  
power from northwestern China to South Asia. To construct Russian Far East to China, Japan,  
R.O.Korea, D.P.R.Korea DC project will transmit Russia’s wind and hydro power to load  
centers in East Asia.  
By 2050, Asia will further strengthen its inter-continental interconnection to set up  
the “Four Horizontal and Three Vertical” interconnection channels. Inter-continental:  
Saudi Arabia-Turkey, Saudi Arabia-Egypt and Kazakhstan-Germany DC projects will be  
constructed. Australia-Indonesia DC project will strengthen power exchange between Asia and  
Oceania. Intra-continental: China-Pakistan DC project will transmit wind and solar power  
from northwestern China to the load centers in South Asia. Iran-Pakistan and Oman-India DC  
23  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
projects will transmit West Asia’s solar energy to the load centers in South Asia; Myanmar-  
India and China-India DC projects will meet the load demand of India. China-Southeast Asia  
DC project will achieve power mutual support. Efforts will be made to increase the capacity of  
power transmission from the clean energy base in Russian Far East to East Asia.  
Figure 5-4 Illustration of Inter-Continental and Inter-Regional Power Grid  
Interconnection in Asia by 2050  
5.3 Regional Grid Interconnection  
East Asia will focus on the development of clean energy bases, such as  
hydropower in Southwest China, wind power in North, Northwest, Northeast China  
and Mongolia, and solar power in Northwest China and Mongolia, and steadily  
promote the development of pumped storage and nuclear power. The power should be  
allocated in a larger scope, with forming power transmission channel "from the west  
to the East and from the North to the South". Based on the development of local energy  
resources, East Asia should receive clean energy from Central Asia and the Russian  
Far East to meet the demand. Inter-regional: China-Kazakhstan ±800 kV DC and  
China-Kyrgyzstan DC back-to-back projects will be built to receive wind and solar  
power in Central Asia. ±800 kV and ±500 kV DC transmission projects from China,  
Japan, R.O.Korea and D.P.R.Korea to Russian Far East will be built to receive hydro  
and wind power in Russian Far East. China-Myanmar-Bangladesh and China-Vietnam  
24  
 
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
±660 kV, China-Laos ±800 kV projects, as well as three China-Southeast Asia back-  
to-back projects will be built to achieve power mutual support. China-Pakistan ±660  
kV and ±800 kV, China-India ±800 kV, and China-Nepal back-to-back projects will  
also be constructed. Intra-regional: The AC power grid in each country should be  
strengthened, to achieve regional interconnection. The DC projects from Mongolia to  
China and from China to Japan, R.O.Korea and D.P.R.Korea can be constructed to  
deliver clean power to the load centers in East Asia.  
Figure 5-5 Illustration of Power Grid Interconnection in East Asia by 2050  
Southeast Asia focuses on the orderly development of hydropower in the  
Irrawaddy, Salween and Mekong river basins in the Indo-China Peninsula. Malay  
Archipelago accelerates hydropower and solar energy development in Kalimantan and  
wind energy development in northern Philippines. The AC synchronous power grid can  
be constructed in Southeast Asia, and the interconnection with China, India and  
Bangladesh should be strengthened. Inter-regional: Three back-to-back  
interconnection projects will be built to connect Yunnan Province, China with Laos,  
Vietnam and Myanmar. Zhengzhou, China-Phongsali, Laos ±800 kV DC project and  
Liupanshui, China–Hanoi, Vietnam ±660 kV DC project will be built to address the  
problem of surplus in wet season and shortage in dry season in the Indo-China Peninsula.  
Myanmar-India ±800 kV DC transmission project will be built to transmit the  
hydropower from Northern Myanmar to the load centers in eastern India. Darwin,  
Australia-Bali Island, Indonesia-Java Island, Indonesia ±800 kV triple-terminal DC  
25  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
transmission project will be built to transmit the solar energy resources from  
northwestern Australia to the load centers in Indonesia. Intra-regional: UHV AC  
power grids in the Indo-China Peninsula will be upgraded and constructed to form the  
“Three Horizontal and Three Vertical” UHV grid shape. To exploit hydropower, Laos  
will set up a 500 kV AC line connecting Thailand and Vietnam, and a 500 kV double-  
circuit line will be constructed between Myanmar and Thailand. A ±660 kV three-  
terminal (Salween River, Myanmar-Yangon, Myanmar-Bangkok, Thailand) DC project  
will be constructed to transmit hydropower from northern Myanmar to the load centers  
in southern Myanmar and Thailand. The Malay Archipelago will maintain the three AC  
grid structure in the western, central and eastern regions. The central part of the Malay  
Archipelago will witness further exploitation of clean energy resources such as  
hydropower in Kalimantan. The Kalimantan-Philippines, Java and Singapore DC  
projects will be constructed to send the hydropower to load centers in Southeast Asia.  
Figure 5-6 Illustration of Power Grid Interconnection in Southeast Asia by 2050  
South Asia will focus on hydropower development in Nepal and Bhutan,  
accelerate solar energy development in India and Pakistan, and orderly develop wind  
power in India. The coverage of the power grid will be expanded to build a unified  
interconnected power grid in South Asia. The interconnection with China, West Asia,  
Central Asia and Southeast Asia will be achieved to receive clean energy from Western  
China, Southeast Asia and West Asia, respectively. Inter-regional: South Asia will  
26  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
receive hydropower of Southwestern China through ±660 kV DC project of Baoshan,  
China-Mandalay, Myanmar-Chittagong, Bangladesh. It will receive solar power of  
West Asia through Al Obadiah, Saudi Arabia-Hyderabad, Pakistan, Sweihan, UAE-  
Jaipur, India, Sohar, Oman-Badoda, India ±800 kV DC projects and Fasa, Iran-  
Khuzdar, Pakistan ±660 kV DC project. Electricity from China and hydropower from  
Tajikistan will be sent through ±660 kV project of Xinjiang, China-Nowshera,  
Pakistan, three ±800 kV DC projects including Gongbo’gyamda, China-Jabalpur,  
India, Duoxiong, China-Calcutta, India and Ili, China-Lahore, Pakistan, and ±500 kV  
DC project of Sangtuda, Tajikistan-Nowshera, Pakistan. Interconnection between  
South Asia and Southwestern China will be achieved through another China-Nepal  
back-to-back project. Myitkyina, Myanmar-Lucknow, India ±800 kV DC project will  
be constructed to interconnect South Asia with Southeast Asia. Intra-regional: India  
will construct a nationwide 765 kV AC grid. India, Nepal and Bhutan will construct  
400 kV AC synchronous grid. Bangladesh and India will achieve asynchronous  
interconnection and Pakistan will build a 500 kV AC backbone grid. Three ±800 kV  
DC projects will transmit the electricity in the northeastern and northern hydropower  
bases to the main load centers.  
Figure 5-7 Illustration of Power Grid Interconnection in South Asia by 2050  
Central Asia focuses on the development of wind energy in the east and north of  
Kazakhstan, solar energy in southern Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and  
hydropower development in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Kazakhstan will further  
27  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
upgrade the construction of UHV power grid and improve the capability of resource  
allocation. Inter-regional: The ±800 kV DC transmission projects from Kazakhstan  
to Germany and China, and ±500 kV DC transmission projects from Tajikistan to  
Pakistan will be constructed to build the interconnection channels with Europe, East  
Asia and South Asia. Intra-regional: Power grid interconnection between different  
countries will be strengthened to form the“Three Horizontal and Two Vertical” cross-  
border channels. Kazakhstan will set up a UHV looped grid, and other countries will  
strengthen the construction of 500 kV AC grids.  
Figure 5-8 Illustration of Power Grid Interconnection in Central Asia by 2050  
West Asia focuses on developing clean energy such as Saudi Arabia and Oman,  
so as to promote countries in West Asia to get rid of dependence on fossil energy and  
promote clean and low-carbon development in the region. With the geographical  
advantages, a regional clean energy hub will be built to deliver electricity to Africa,  
Europe and South Asia. Inter-regional: Based on outbound power transmission  
channels in solar energy bases, West Asia will interconnect with South Asia through  
Al-Obadiah, Saudi Arabia- Hyderabad, Pakistan, Sweihan, UAE-Jaipur, India, Sohar  
Oman-Baroda, India ±800 kV DC projects and Fassa Iran-Khuzdar, Pakistan ±660 kV  
DC projects, with Europe through Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia-Istanbul, Turkey-Haskovo,  
Bulgaria and Khail, Saudi Arabia-Ankara, Turkey ±800 kV DC project, with Africa  
through Medina, Saudi Arabia-Tabuk-Cairo, Egypt ±500 kV DC project, and with East  
Africa through Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ±660 kV DC project.  
28  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Intra-regional: The 400/500 kV power grid will be strengthened, considering Saudi  
Arabia and Iran as dual centers. Saudi Arabia will strengthen the 1000 kV UHV AC  
looped grid linking the capital with the surrounding areas. 1000 kV UHV AC  
transmission projects will be built to connect the solar power bases. The country will  
also construct a 1000 kV UHV transmission corridor along the coasts of the Red Sea,  
connecting clean energy bases with load centers like Tabuk, Medina and Mecca. Iran  
will complete the construction of a 765 kV looped grid around the load center in the  
central part of the region. The country will also use the 765 kV transmission line to  
consume clean power transmitted from the solar power bases in the western and  
southern parts.  
Figure 5-9 Illustration of Power Grid Interconnection in West Asia by 2050  
5.4 Key Interconnection Projects  
8 key inter-continental projects will be built with the capacity of 51 GW.  
Table 5-1 key Inter-continental Projects  
Project  
Voltage Capacity Length  
（kV） （GW） （km）  
Investment  
（billion  
USD）  
Cost  
（USD  
cent/kWh）  
No.  
1
Al Qassim, Saudi  
Arabia-Istanbul,  
Turkey-Haskovo,  
Bulgaria DC  
±800  
8
2800  
5.3  
1.98  
project.  
29  
 
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Project  
Voltage Capacity Length  
Investment  
Cost  
（kV） （GW） （km）  
（billion  
USD）  
（USD  
cent/kWh）  
No.  
2
Ha’il, Saudi  
Arabia-Ankara,  
Turkey DC project.  
Aktobe,  
Kazakhstan-  
Munich, Germany  
DC project  
Kostanay,  
Kazakhstan-  
Nuremberg,  
Germany DC  
project.  
Medina, Saudi  
Arabia-Tabuk,  
Saudi Arabia-  
Cairo, Egypt DC  
project  
±800  
±800  
8
8
2200  
3500  
4.7  
1.73  
2.36  
3
4
6.2  
±800  
±500  
8
3
3900  
1300  
6.7  
1.2  
2.58  
1.51  
5
Tabuk, Saudi  
Arabia-Cairo,  
Egypt DC project  
Addis Ababa,  
Ethiopia-Riyadh,  
Saudi Arabia DC  
project  
6
7
±660  
±660  
4
4
700  
1.4  
2.2  
0.98  
1.50  
2000  
Darwin, Australia-  
Bali island,  
8
Indonesia-Java  
island, Indonesia  
DC project.  
±800  
8
2500  
7.7  
2.76  
21 key inter-regional projects will be built with the capacity of 140 GW.  
Table 5-2 Key Inter-regional Projects  
Project  
Voltage Capacity  
（kV） （GW） （km）  
Length  
Investment  
（billion  
USD）  
Cost  
（USD  
cent/kWh）  
No.  
1
Ekibastuz,  
Kazakhstan-Henan  
China DC project.  
Sipsongpanna,  
China-Ho Chi  
Minh City,  
Vietnam DC  
project.  
Baoshan, China-  
Mandalay,  
±800  
±660  
8
4
4000  
1600  
5.6  
1.94  
1.23  
2
3
1.8  
Myanmar-  
Chittagong,  
±660  
4
1150  
1.6  
1.08  
Bangladesh DC  
project  
30  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Project  
Voltage Capacity  
（kV） （GW） （km）  
Length  
Investment  
（billion  
USD）  
Cost  
（USD  
cent/kWh）  
No.  
4
Hotan, China-  
Nowshera,  
Pakistan DC  
project  
Sangtuda,  
Tajikistan-  
Nowshera,  
Pakistan DC  
project  
±660  
±500  
±800  
4
1.3  
8
1000  
750  
1.5  
0.6  
4.6  
0.51  
1.26  
1.57  
5
6
Al Obadiah, Saudi  
Arabia-Hyderabad,  
Pakistan DC  
project  
2200  
Sweihan, UAE-  
Jaipur, India DC  
project  
Lena river, Russia-  
Hebei, China DC  
project  
Alexandrovsk,  
Russia-Tokyo,  
Japan DC project  
Sakhalin, Russia-  
Hokkaido, Japan  
DC project  
7
8
8
8
8
2
2300  
2700  
2000  
300  
4.6  
4.5  
1.60  
1.54  
1.42  
1.00  
±800  
±800  
±800  
±500  
9
4.1  
10  
0.67  
Khabarovsk,  
Russia-Chongjin,  
D.P.R.Korea-  
Taegu, R.O.Korea  
DC project.  
11  
±800  
8
2300  
4.1  
1.42  
Sohar, Oman-  
Vadodara, India  
DC project  
Fassa, Iran-  
Khuzdar, Pakistan  
DC project  
12  
13  
±800  
±660  
±800  
±800  
±800  
8
4
8
8
8
2300  
1400  
1600  
2000  
2000  
8.9  
1.7  
3.5  
3.8  
3.8  
3.08  
1.17  
1.20  
1.32  
1.32  
Duoxiong, China-  
14 Calcutta, India DC  
project  
Ili, China-Lahore,  
15  
16  
Pakistan DC  
project  
Gongbo’gyamda,  
China-Jabalpur,  
India DC project  
Myitkyina,  
Myanmar-  
Lucknow, India  
DC project  
17  
±800  
8
2000  
3.8  
1.32  
31  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Project  
Voltage Capacity  
（kV） （GW） （km）  
Length  
Investment  
（billion  
USD）  
Cost  
（USD  
cent/kWh）  
No.  
18  
Liupanshui,  
China—Hanoi,  
Vietnam DC  
±660  
4
850  
1.4  
0.96  
project  
Zhengzhou, China-  
Phongsali, Laos  
DC project  
Lena river, Russia-  
Shandong, China  
DC project  
19  
20  
8
8
8
1700  
2700  
2700  
3.6  
4.5  
5.3  
1.23  
1.54  
1.82  
±800  
±800  
±800  
Okhotsk, Russia-  
21 Nagano, Japan DC  
project  
5.5 Investment Estimation  
From 2019 to 2050, the total investment in the Asian Energy Interconnection will  
be 18.7 trillion USD. Specifically, the investment in power source will be 14.3 trillion  
USD, accounting for 76% of the total. The investment in power grids will be 4.4  
trillion USD, accounting for 24% of the total.  
Figure 5-10 Investment Scale and Structure of Asian Energy Interconnection  
From 2019 to 2035, the total investment in the Asian Energy Interconnection  
will be 11 trillion USD. The investment in power source is about 8.5 trillion USD,  
accounting for 77% of the total. The investment in the distribution of power source is  
about 1.5 trillion USD, accounting for 18% of the investment in power generation.  
The investment in power grid is about 2.5 trillion USD, accounting for 23% of it. The  
investment in UHV grid is about 266.7 billion USD, with the investment in 400~765  
kV grid about 370.4 billion USD, and the investment in 345 kV and below grid is  
about 1.85 trillion USD.  
32  
 
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
From 2036 to 2050, the total investment in the Asian Energy Interconnection  
will be 7.7 trillion USD. The investment in power source is about 5.8 trillion USD,  
accounting for 75% of it. The distributed power investment will be about 1.4 trillion  
USD, accounting for 24% of investment in power generation. The power grid  
investment will be about 1.9 trillion USD, accounting for 25% of it. The investment  
in UHV grid will be about 234.9 billion USD, investment in 400~765 kV grid will be  
about 283.1 billion USD, and investment in 345 kV and below grid will be about 1.42  
trillion USD.  
33  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
6 Comprehensive Benefits  
6.1 Economic Benefits  
Stimulating regional investment and driving the development of related  
industries. Building Asian Energy Interconnection will give a strong impetus to the all-  
round development of clean energy, electricity, equipment manufacturing,  
infrastructure, finance and other industries. By 2050, the total investment in Asian  
Energy Interconnection will reach about 18.7 trillion USD. Achieving clean,  
sustainable and reliable energy and power supply. By 2050, clean energy in Asia  
will account for 69% of primary energy demand, and about 80% of the total power  
generation. Expanding power trading. By 2050, Asia will have inter-continental and  
inter-regional power transmission capacity of 200 GW. Obtaining interconnection  
benefits. The difference in resources can improve the characteristics of the power  
source, the difference in seasons and time-zone allows for sharing of quality clean  
resources, and the difference in electricity price reduces the development cost of society.  
6.2 Social Benefits  
Reducing the cost of clean energy supply. By 2050, the average cost of clean  
energy power will be about 40% lower than the current cost. Creating more jobs. By  
2050, 150 million jobs in total will be created in the upstream and downstream  
industries. Increasing accessibility to electricity. By 2050, electricity will account for  
55% of Asia’s final energy consumption. With the rapid development of clean energy  
production and decreasing electricity prices, an environmentally friendly, clean,  
affordable and reliable electricity supply accessible to all will be realized by 2050.  
6.3 Environmental Benefits  
Reducing GHG emissions. Asian Energy Interconnection can help to reduce CO2  
emissions from the energy system to about 6.2 GtCO2/year in 2050 (74% lower than  
that in the BAU scenario)1. Reducing climate-related disasters. Setting up of Asian  
Energy Interconnection will reduce GHG emissions from the source, effectively  
lowering the probability of extreme weather and disasters, and reducing climate risks  
1
The BAU scenario developed by the Austrian International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) is a  
development path for economy, energy, power and emissions in a country continuing existing policies.  
34  
       
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
in coastal areas, especially for small island countries susceptible to sea level rise.  
Reducing emissions of air pollutant. By 2050, the Asian Energy Interconnection  
scenario can reduce 30 million tonnes of SO2, 34 million tonnes of NOx and 6.5 million  
tonnes of fine particulate matter per year compared with the BAU scenario. Increasing  
the value of land resources. Compared with the BAU scenario, Asian Energy  
Interconnection scenario will increase the value of land resources by 86 billion USD  
per year by 2050.  
6.4 Political Benefits  
Enhancing political mutual trust. Setting up Asian Energy Interconnection will  
help establish multi-level mechanisms for exchanges and cooperation in energy,  
investment, culture, economy, trade, security and other fields among Asian countries.  
Political exchanges and mutual trust among Asian countries will be deepen. Promoting  
peaceful development. Facilitating coordinated development. The construction of the  
Asian Energy Interconnection will strengthen cooperation among Asian countries,  
promote the active coordination of relevant policies among governments, continuously  
expand cooperation areas, and form a comprehensive and mutually beneficial  
cooperation mode in all fields. Serving the development of Asia integration. Building  
Asian Energy Interconnection will strengthen cooperation among Asian countries in the  
energy sector and promote the establishment of strong partnerships.  
35  
 
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
7 Development Outlook of Achieving 1.5℃  
Temperature Control Target  
7.1 Situations and Requirements  
Achieving the 1.5℃ temperature control target is of great significance for the  
global sustainable development and the well-being of all countries. Achieving the  
1.5℃ temperature control target can reduce the risks of the global climate system, and  
ensure safer natural and human systems. According to the IPCC (Intergovernmental  
Panel on Climate Change) ’s research, human activities have caused a global  
temperature rise of about 1.0℃ as compared to the pre-industrial level. If the current  
emission trend continues, the emission budget aiming to control the temperature rise  
within 1.5℃ will be used up in around 2030, and the global temperature rise may reach  
1.5℃ between 2030 and 2052. To achieve the 1.5℃ temperature control target,  
Asia is in an urgent need to implement the climate action from all respects. Asia’s  
economy, total energy consumption and total carbon emissions are huge, and the energy  
demand for future economic development will accelerate. To achieve the 1.5 ℃  
temperature control target, it is urgent to speed up mitigations, and strive to achieve net  
zero emission by 2050.  
7.2 Implementation Paths  
Accelerating Clean Replacement in the energy supply side. Asia needs to  
make full use of the opportunities for clean energy power generation technology and  
rapid development of regional economy, with policies to support the development of  
clean energy industry. Asia needs to construct mechanisms that are more conducive to  
the scale-up, intensive development and large-scale complementary and efficient use  
of clean energy in order to rapidly increase the proportion of clean energy in Asian  
energy supply, and lowering the proportion of fossil fuel and thus lowering GHG  
emissions as well.  
Enhancing Electricity Replacement on the energy consumption side. Policies  
such as providing financial subsidies and tax reductions should be implemented. The  
research and development of the related technologies should be further accelerated, so  
as to support the development of electrification industry and stimulate the potential of  
36  
     
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Electricity Replacement. Based on these approaches, the economic feasibility of  
Electricity Replacement can be improved, the scale of electricity consumption can be  
expanded, and the structure of final energy consumption can be optimized.  
The application of carbon sequestration and reduction technologies should be  
promoted. Based on greater efforts to promote Clean Replacement on the energy  
supply side and Electricity Replacement on the energy consumption side to reduce  
GHG emissions, more supportive policies are needed to promote research, development,  
commercialization and large-scale application of carbon sequestration and carbon  
reduction technologies, which will directly reduce GHG in the atmosphere.  
7.3 Scenarios and Schemes  
Asia will speed up Clean Replacement in the energy supply side, thus the  
fossil fuel demand will peak ahead of schedule then decline rapidly. As to the  
energy consumption side, in-depth Electricity Replacement and enhanced energy  
efficiency will be promoted with a remarkable increase in the proportion of  
electricity consumption in total final energy consumption.  
Primary energy demand. The primary energy demand in 2035 and 2050 will  
reach 13.05 and 14.56 billion tce, respectively, with an average annual growth rate of  
1.3% from 2016 to 2050. Clean Replacement in Asia will continue to accelerate, lifting  
the proportion of clean energy in primary energy to 57% and 84% by 2035 and 2050,  
respectively. The demand for coal, oil and natural gas will peak around 2020, 2025  
and 2035, respectively, and then decline rapidly.  
Figure 7-1 Primary Energy Demand in Asia for Achieving 1.5℃ Temperature Control  
Target  
37  
 
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Final energy consumption. Final energy consumption will grow rapidly before  
2035 with an average annual growth rate of 1.5% before slowing down. It will reach  
8.13 and 8.37 billion tce by 2035 and 2050, respectively. The in-depth Electricity  
Replacement will accelerate in final energy consumption sectors. It is estimated that the  
proportion of electricity will reach 45% and 68% by 2035 and 2050, respectively.  
Figure 7-2 Final Energy Consumption in Asia for Achieving 1.5℃ Temperature  
Control Target  
Power Demand. By 2035, total electricity consumption in Asia will be around  
26.3 PWh with an annual average growth rate of 4.7%. The maximum load will be  
around 4.47 TW with an annual average growth of 4.6%. The per capita electricity  
consumption will be around 5300 kWh/year. By 2050, Asia will have a total electricity  
consumption of about 41.7 PWh with an annual average growth rate of 3.1%. The peak  
load will be about 7.31 TW with an annual average growth of 3.3% and the per capita  
electricity consumption will be 8100 kWh/year.  
38  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
Figure 7-3 Forecast of Electricity Consumption in Asia for Achieving the 1.5℃  
Temperature Control Target  
The proportion of clean energy in the power generation structure will further  
increase. By 2035, Asia’s total installed capacity will be 11.1 TW, including 9.3 TW of  
clean energy, increasing from 33% in 2016 to 84% of the total power generation  
installed capacity to become the main power source. Asian power generation from clean  
energy will be 20.5 PWh, increasing from 23% in 2016 to 76% of the total power  
generation. By 2050, Asian total power generation installed capacity will be 19.1 TW,  
including 17.7 TW of clean energy, increasing to 93%. Asian clean energy power  
generation will be 39.5 PWh, increasing to 91% of the total power generation.  
Figure 7-4 Structure of Power Generation Installed Capacity for Achieving 1.5℃  
Temperature Control Target  
Power Grid Interconnection. Transmission channels for large-scale clean energy  
bases will be further strengthened, and the exploitation and transmission capacity of  
large clean energy bases in West Asia, Central Asia, Western China and Mongolia of  
39  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
East Asia will be expanded. Inter-continental and inter-regional interconnection will be  
enhanced. By 2050, the inter-continental and inter-regional electricity transmission will  
be about 250 GW, consisting of intercontinental electricity transmission of 67 GW and  
inter-regional electricity transmission of 180 GW. Domestic grids need to be  
strengthened in the regions to improve the consumption and transmission capacity of  
clean energy. By 2050, Asia will form a “Four Horizontal and Three Vertical” grid of  
inter-continental and inter-regional channels of power interconnection. The “Four  
Horizontal Channels” are channels between Asia and Europe in the north and the south,  
as well as the channels between Asia and Africa. The “Three Vertical Channels” are the  
east, central and west vertical channels in Asia.  
Figure 7-5 Illustration of Power Flow in Asia for Achieving 1.5℃ Temperature  
Control Target  
In order to achieve the global 1.5℃ temperature control target, Asia will  
need to reduce carbon emissions and accelerate economic and social development  
so as to achieve a faster and larger scale of clean low-carbon transformation of  
energy and power, so as to effectively support the response to climate change and  
achieve sustainable development with clean energy power generation. Compared  
with the 2℃ scenario, the 1.5℃ scenario will reduce fossil fuel consumption by 41%  
in primary energy by 2050 and increase the proportion of clean energy. The power  
generation installed capacity of clean energy will increase by 34% by 2050. The  
40  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
proportion of electricity in final energy consumption will be improved by 13 percentage  
points by 2050 as well as a strengthened grid interconnection that will have a 47 GW  
increase in inter-continental and inter-regional power flows, and will increase  
investment of clean energy exploitation and grid construction by 23% by 2050.  
Figure 7-6 Analysis and Comparison of Energy and Power in Asia under the 2℃  
and 1.5℃ Scenarios  
41  
Research and Outlook on Asian Energy Interconnection  
42