2026 TRANSFORMATIVE POLICIES TO ADVANCE CLEANCOAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS IN ASEAN Copyright © ACE 2026 Unless otherwise stated, this publication and the material featured herein arethe property of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), subject to copyright by ACE.Material in this publication may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced,printed and/or stored, provided that all such materials are attributed to ACE.Material contained in this publication attributed to third parties may be subjectto third-party copyright and separate terms of use and restrictions, includingrestrictions on any commercial use. PUBLISHER: ASEAN Centre for EnergySoemantri Brodjonegoro II Building, 6th fl.Directorate General of Electricity of IndonesiaJl. HR. Rasuna Said Block X-2, Kav. 07-08Jakarta 12950, IndonesiaTel: (62-21) 527 9332 | Fax: (62-21) 527 9350E-mail: secretariat@aseanenergy.orgwww.aseanenergy.org REPORT CITATION ACE (2026). Transformative Policies to Advance Clean Coal-Fired Power Plantsin ASEAN. ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), Jakarta. Preface In October 2019, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the China Energy Technology and EconomicsResearch Institute (CETERI) published the Cleaner Coal Utilisation Roadmap in ASEAN which was acompilation of information on coal and its utilisation, including policy updates, in several of the ASEANMember States, China and other major coal-consuming countries in the region. Recognising the continuing indispensable role of coal in ASEAN’s energy system, it is imperative for theregion to find a way to curb the carbon dioxide emissions and other harmful pollutants emanating fromthis energy source. Fortunately, pollution abatement in coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) using clean coaltechnology (CCT), along with efficiency improvement, co-firing with alternative energy sources, pollutioncontrol (dust collection, desulphurisation and combustion control), and carbon capture and storage, arealready available and proven worldwide. Therefore, this study “Transformative Policies to Advance Clean Coal-Fired Power Plants in ASEAN”is meant to be a continuation of the previous study in that it updates the information and adds morediscussion on some of the innovative efforts made by the CFPPs to facilitate the transition towardscleaner energy. This study aligns with the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase 2: 2021-2025milestones on the Coal and Clean Coal Technology programme area, namely, (1) clean coal technologyprogress in ASEAN and (2) innovation in CFPPs. This study tracks CCT policies and innovation initiativesand recommends transformative policies to accelerate the implementation of clean coal technology inthe region. The recommended transformative policies are delivered in action plans for Southeast Asian countriesbased on appropriate classification, which may pertain to long-term energy planning, resourceavailability and infrastructure readiness, among many other factors. The action plans are supported byseveral overviews and analyses, including the current situation and future development of the powersector in Southeast Asia, the environmental impacts of CFPPs, and the gaps and challenges that therecommended policies are trying to address. Acknowledgements The successful completion of the “Transformative Policies to Advance Clean Coal-Fired Power Plantsin ASEAN” is attributed to the collaborative efforts of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), China EnergyTechnology and Economics Research Institute (CETERI), and numerous individuals. Their combinedexpertise, steadfast support and dedicated contributions have significantly enhanced the quality anddepth of the work. Authors:This report was led by Anis Zhafran, Chaedar Indra Pramana, and Bayu Jamalullael, withvaluable support from Shania Esmeralda Manaloe, Lintang Ambar Pramesti, for their insightful input andguidance. Guidance and Supervision:Special recognition is extended to Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood (ExecutiveDirector of ACE), Beni Suryadi (Senior Manager of APAEC and Strategic Partnership of ACE) and Suwanto(Head of the Fossil Fuels, Hydrocarbon, and Minerals Department of ACE) for their instrumental role inproviding direction and supervision, ensuring the success of this publication. ACErs Contribution:Gratitude is extended to Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi (Manager of the Energy Modellingand Policy Planning (MPP) Department), Marcel Nicky Arianto (Research Analyst on Power), and IgnatiusPrimadi Limin (Senior Researcher on Power) for their constructive feedbacks in ensuring the quality ofthis report. Contributing ASEAN Member States:Recognition is given to the ASEAN Member States, through theirrepresentatives in the ASEAN Forum on Coal (AFOC) and the Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities(HAPUA), especially Izham Hassan (Head of Procurement & Supply Chain ofTNB Fuel Services SdnBhd/ AFOC Focal Point of Malaysia) and Adzli Maher (Electricity Market Operation Unit, Departmentof Economic Regulation, Energy Comis