ADB's energy policy

Energy demand is projected to almost double in the Asia and Pacific region by 2030. There is an urgent need for innovative ways to generate power in a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable manner. Compounding the problem is widespread energy poverty across Asia and the Pacific, in 2018 over 200 million people still had no access to electricity, around 5% of the region’s population, and around 1.8 billion people, or nearly 40% of the population, relied on polluting and unhealthy cooking fuels and technologies.

ADB's 2009 Energy Policy helped its developing member countries provide reliable, adequate, and affordable energy for economic growth in a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable way. To align its energy operations with Strategy 2030, ADB reviewed its 2009 policy, recognizing the changing contexts and increasing needs of ADB’s developing members while mindful of the impacts of increasing energy use to the climate and environment.

On 20 October 2021, ADB approved a new Energy Policy that aims to support universal access to reliable and affordable energy services while promoting the low-carbon transition in Asia and the Pacific.

History of ADB’s energy policy

The below timeline reviews key highlights of the policy development and consultation process.