The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) have jointly launched a new platform aimed at fast-tracking the deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Asia and the Pacific, as the region ramps up efforts to stabilize grids and expand renewable energy capacity.
The initiative, called ENABLE (Enhancing Access to Battery Energy Storage Systems for Low-Carbon Economies), will provide technical expertise, pilot project support, and financing mechanisms to overcome key barriers to BESS adoption, including high capital costs and limited access to concessional funding.
Funded through a $750,000 grant, including $500,000 from ADB’s Smart Energy Innovation Fund and $250,000 from GEAPP, the platform will initially target Vietnam, Mongolia, and Cambodia over the next three years.
ADB will administer the grant and coordinate with other development partners to expand the initiative to additional countries.
“ENABLE addresses key barriers by providing technical expertise, project development support, and innovative financing solutions that will help countries integrate more renewable energy into their grids,” said Cindy Cisneros-Tiangco, Director for Emerging Areas at ADB’s Energy Sector Office.
According to the International Energy Agency, renewable capacity in Asia-Pacific is forecast to grow by nearly 430 gigawatts between 2023 and 2028, with solar installations accounting for two-thirds of the expansion.
BESS technology is considered vital to manage the intermittency of renewables and ensure grid stability.
GEAPP Vice President for Southeast Asia Kitty Bu emphasized the alliance’s goal to de-risk battery storage investments and attract private capital.
“Through ENABLE, GEAPP is helping address the critical battery storage gap that could constrain the region’s clean energy potential,” Bu said.
ENABLE will support policy development, procurement guidelines, digital tools including artificial intelligence, and innovative business models for energy storage.
The platform also aims to prepare bankable projects that are ready for private sector participation, building a replicable model to support long-term energy transition across the region.
The ADB-GEAPP collaboration reflects broader efforts to make energy systems more sustainable and inclusive, while positioning BESS as a cornerstone of Asia-Pacific’s green transition strategy.
Business News Asia