The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) regional Private Financing Advisory Network-Asia (USAID PFAN-Asia) program assists the private sector and governments to bring financial investments in clean energy in Asia.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the nations of Southeast Asia are expected to experience a 50 percent rise in energy demand over the next 10 years. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has set a target of securing 23 percent of its primary energy from renewable sources by 2025, which will require significant renewable energy deployment in the region.

USAID programs have achieved broad success in mobilizing new private investments in renewable projects across the region. USAID-PFAN-Asia, which runs from 2013 to 2018, aims to mobilize at least $700 million in funds for clean energy investments, which will avoid or reduce greenhouse gas emissions amounting to an equivalent of at least 21 million tons of carbon dioxide. These efforts are attracting domestic and foreign investment in clean energy and are promoting private sector-led economic and trade growth with the United States. American companies are well-positioned to prosper in this market due to their comparative advantage in providing high-quality and in-demand clean energy technologies.

BUILDING REGIONAL ENERGY PARTNERSHIPS

The program focuses on 12 countries in South and Southeast Asia including Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Maldives, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. With a network of over 200 investors and financiers, USAID PFAN-Asia engages with organizations and institutions to promote clean energy project development, develop partnerships, provide mentorship, and identify investors and other sources of finance. The program also works with national and local governments across the region to mobilize financing for clean energy thereby improving the environment across Asia.

DEVELOPING CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS

Program staff help train clean energy project developers and entrepreneurs to develop high-quality projects and proposals and match qualified clean energy project developers with investors to secure financing. The program is also designed to improve the business environment for clean energy investment and establish a permanent, self-sustaining regional platform to promote long-term access to clean energy financing.

IMPACT AND RESULTS

• Since 2013, the program has helped 38 clean energy projects obtain financing worth more than $500 million. Nine of these projects had direct U.S. business interest, either through U.S. investors, technology suppliers or grantors.
• While mobilizing funding, the program has helped numerous energy access projects, including providing electricity to 774,540 people, creating 900 jobs and generating $300 annual energy savings per household.
• In its fourth year of operation, the program currently has ongoing clean energy projects worth $2.6 billion.

PARTNERS

USAID PFAN-Asia is partnering with Deloitte Consulting LLP, SSG Advisors Inc., DFDL Legal and Tax, and TetraTech to implement the project. Cooperating Partners also include ASEAN, Asian Development Bank, Lower Mekong Initiative, United Nations Sustainable Energy for All and the U.S. Department of State to capitalize on local expertise and existing investments in the clean energy sector in Asia.

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