In this episode of Energy Insights, host Stephen speaks with Zhou Yu, Program Manager at New Energy Nexus, to explore China’s fast-growing clean-tech ecosystem and what it means for Asia’s energy transition.

Zhou explains how China’s leadership in solar, batteries, EVs and energy storage is reshaping regional supply chains and driving down global technology costs. He discusses the policies, innovation networks and startup support systems powering this growth, and why other Asian countries are looking to China as both a model and a critical partner.

The conversation examines the opportunities and risks for Southeast Asia, the role of cross-border collaboration, and whether China’s clean-tech engine can accelerate the region’s shift away from fossil fuels.

LinkedIn: Zhou Yu

In this episode of Energy Insights, host Stephen speaks with Sam Reynolds, Research Lead for LNG and Gas at IEEFA, to unpack how a global turbine shortage is slowing Southeast Asia’s LNG expansion.

Sam explains how long delivery backlogs, higher costs and supply constraints are delaying major LNG projects in the Philippines and Vietnam. This slowdown is raising doubts about gas as a reliable bridge fuel and opening more space for renewables to grow across the region.

The discussion highlights what this means for investors, energy security and long-term planning, and why Southeast Asia’s future power mix may shift more quickly toward solar, wind and storage.

Profile: Sam Reynolds

In this episode of Energy Insights, host Stephen sits down with Wai-Shin Chan, Director of Research at Asia Research and Engagement (ARE), to unpack what COP30 really means for climate finance, investment signals and economic decision-making across Asia.

COP30 was expected to be an implementation COP, yet countries left Belém with weak NDCs, unclear finance arrangements and no fossil fuel transition roadmap. Wai-Shin explains how this uncertainty raises costs, delays investment and leaves Asian economies exposed to growing climate and financial risks. He also clarifies what tripling adaptation finance actually means, why the NCQG still lacks delivery pathways and how vague fossil language shapes capital flows.

We explore how policy clarity, risk-sharing mechanisms and transparency will shape the region’s competitiveness, and why markets “reward clarity” when it comes to climate ambition. Wai-Shin also reflects on what Southeast Asia needs next, from stronger grids and carbon pricing to meaningful support for adaptation and resilience.

LinkedIn: Wai-Shin Chan