Expansive Look: Integrating Wind Energy in Mainland Southeast Asia

In the heart of Southeast Asia, nations are making significant strides in harnessing the power of the wind. From Vietnam's regional leadership to Thailand's ambitious plans for carbon neutrality, the region is poised to become a key player in the global renewable energy landscape.

However, the journey is not without its challenges, particularly in the realm of rare earth materials. Almost half of the world's accessible rare earth materials are mined in Kachin, Myanmar's northernmost state. China, a global powerhouse in rare earth processing, backs the military junta in Myanmar, potentially affecting global access to these crucial elements used in wind turbines and other green technologies.

Vietnam, on the other hand, is making headway in wind energy. The country's exclusive economic zone has the potential to generate just over one terawatt of wind energy, nearly doubling previous World Bank estimates. Vietnam's revised Power Development Plan aims to install 38GW of onshore wind capacity by 2030, an increase from the previous goal of 21GW. As of 2024, Vietnam has an installed wind power capacity of nearly 5GW.

Thailand, too, is joining the wind power race. Thailand's current draft Power Development Plan aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065. The country's leading wind energy developer, Wind Energy Holding, is preparing 2GW of projects. There is potential for 13-17 gigawatts of onshore wind energy across Thailand, and as of 2023, wind power makes up around 3% of Thailand's installed capacity.

The wind power sector, however, is not without controversy. In Vietnam, many nearshore wind farms could present problems for migratory birds, including endangered species from Siberia that migrate to Vietnam for winter. In Thailand, the Monsoon Wind Power project has affected 934 households across 26 villages. Recent studies show that Vietnam's wind power projects have faced criticism from fishers whose incomes have been impacted by government-imposed fishing bans for wind farm perimetre zones.

Despite these challenges, the future of wind power in Southeast Asia is promising. China's Yeong Guan Energy Technology plans to begin wind power component production trials in Thailand in 2025, and Hitachi Energy intends to start wind turbine manufacturing in the country to strengthen the local wind power industry.

Myanmar, with its rich reserves of rare earth materials, plays a key role in the development of regional wind power. However, the unregulated and illicit mining of heavy rare earth elements in the country has led to high environmental and human costs.

Meanwhile, Laos and Cambodia are also joining the wind power bandwagon. Laos' most widely publicised upcoming wind project is the Monsoon Wind Power project, the first large-scale ground-mounted wind farm in landlocked Laos. Cambodia does not yet have any major wind farms, but in May 2025, authorities approved six hydropower projects in Mondulkiri province that are expected to generate 900MW. HK Oasis Power's 150MW wind power station is expected to begin operating in Cambodia in 2026.

As the region moves towards a greener future, the potential for wind power in Southeast Asia is immense. However, it is crucial that these developments are carried out responsibly, ensuring minimal impact on the environment and local communities.