ADB Unveils $70 Billion Plan to Expand Energy and Digital Infrastructure in Asia-Pacific
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a $70 billion investment programme aimed at expanding energy and digital infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region by 2035.
The initiative focuses on strengthening cross-border power connectivity, increasing renewable energy integration, and expanding digital networks, as demand for electricity and connectivity continues to grow across the region.
The programme is divided into two main components: a $50 billion Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative (PAGI) and a $20 billion Asia-Pacific Digital Highway.
The power grid initiative aims to connect national electricity systems, enabling cross-border electricity trade and facilitating the integration of renewable energy. The ADB expects the programme to support the integration of around 20 gigawatts of renewable capacity, develop approximately 22,000 kilometres of transmission infrastructure, and improve electricity access for about 200 million people by 2035.
The bank also indicated that the initiative could contribute to a reduction of regional power-sector emissions by around 15%, reflecting its broader climate and energy transition objectives.
Alongside energy investments, the digital infrastructure component aims to expand broadband access and strengthen regional connectivity through investments in fiber-optic networks, subsea cables, satellite systems, and data centres.
By 2035, the programme is expected to provide first-time internet access to around 200 million people and improve connectivity for an additional 450 million users, while reducing connectivity costs in remote areas.
ADB President Masato Kanda stated that improving both energy and digital connectivity is central to supporting long-term economic growth, particularly as the region experiences rising demand and accelerating technological change.
The bank plans to finance part of the programme directly, while mobilising additional capital through co-financing and private sector participation, reflecting a blended finance approach commonly used in large-scale infrastructure development.
The announcement was made during the ADB’s annual meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and forms part of a broader strategy to enhance regional integration, improve infrastructure resilience, and support sustainable development across Asia and the Pacific.
Source: power-technology.com
