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BUSINESS • 03/05/2026 08:17 PM

ADB Launches US$70 Bln Push To Connect Asia’s Power Grids, Digital Networks

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 (Bernama) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will back US$70 billion in new energy and digital infrastructure initiatives by 2035, aiming to connect power grids, expand cross-border electricity trade and improve broadband access across Asia and the Pacific.

ADB President Masato Kanda said energy and digital access would define the region’s future, and these two initiatives will build the systems Asia and the Pacific need to grow, compete and connect.

“By linking power grids and digital networks across borders, we can lower costs, expand opportunity, and bring reliable power and digital access to hundreds of millions of people,” he said in a statement today.

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ADB said the plan includes a US$50 billion Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative (PAGI) and US$20 billion for technology and digital connectivity projects.

The bank said the PAGI initiative would focus on transmission and grid integration, including cross-border lines, substations, storage, and grid digitalisation.

By 2035, ADB aims to integrate about 20 gigawatts of renewable energy across borders, connect 22,000 circuit-kilometres of transmission lines, improve energy access for 200 million people, create 840,000 jobs, and cut regional power sector emissions by 15 per cent.

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“ADB expects to finance about half of the US$50 billion initiative from its own resources and raise the remainder through co-financing, including from the private sector.

“Up to US$10 million in technical assistance will support efforts to align regulations, adopt common technical standards, prepare feasibility studies and advance other work needed for major projects,” the bank said.

ADB noted that the Asia-Pacific Digital Highway would mobilise US$20 billion by 2035 to finance digital corridors, data infrastructure and  artificial intelligence (AI)-ready economies.

It said investments would focus on connected infrastructure, including terrestrial and subsea fibre networks, satellite links and regional data centres. 

“ADB expects to finance US$15 billion of the US$20 billion initiative from its own resources and raise US$5 billion through co-financing, including from the private sector,” it added.

-- BERNAMA

 

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