[Cable Network News]According to a new study released by the Northeast Group, LLC, in 2018-2027, Southeast Asian countries will invest $9.8 billion in smart grid infrastructure. The report argues that smart grid development in Southeast Asia will be driven by a handful of major countries that have smart grid investments as a key pillar of their energy future, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Ben Gardner, president of Northeast Group, said, "Southeast Asia has fallen behind expectations. Singapore and Malaysia are clear leaders in the region and have begun to promote smart meters nationwide. Thailand has also shown a genuine commitment to smart grid infrastructure, and long-term plans are finally under way, which will help boost smart grid development in the region.

Many countries in Southeast Asia lack some common drivers of smart grid infrastructure, such as high-tech power loss or high power consumption. Instead, in most cases, the market will be driven by regulations that encourage or force smart grid development.

These policies are in line with broader future energy strategies that emphasize higher energy efficiency, clean energy integration, and meeting the needs of rapidly growing regions. As countries seek solutions for remote and island communities, the microgrid and battery storage markets will experience high levels of growth.