Southeast Asia Emerges as a Key Market for China’s Clean Energy Exports

September 2026 — Southeast Asia is rapidly emerging as a major overseas market for Chinese clean-energy companies, with ASEAN countries spending more than US$20 billion on Chinese-made clean-technology products so far in 2026, according to Reuters, citing data from energy think tank Ember.

The figure represents an increase of approximately 50% compared with the same period last year, making Southeast Asia the largest market within Asia for Chinese-made clean-tech components.

The growth is being driven by broad-based demand across multiple segments, including solar PV, battery energy storage, electric vehicles and power-grid equipment.

Solar and BESS demand accelerate

Solar PV is one of the clearest examples of the region's growing demand.

ASEAN countries have imported approximately US$4.1 billion worth of Chinese-made solar products so far this year, nearly 90% higher than the same period in 2025. The region accounted for around 57% of China's total solar exports to Asia.

At the same time, ASEAN countries imported nearly US$7 billion worth of energy-storage batteries, highlighting the rapid expansion of demand for battery energy storage across the region.

The Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam are among the key markets, with solar import spending in each country roughly doubling compared with the previous year.

Beyond solar and storage, Southeast Asia also imported approximately US$1.6 billion of Chinese grid components and US$6.3 billion of electric vehicles during the period.

Rising electricity demand supports clean-energy investment

The expansion of clean-tech imports is closely linked to Southeast Asia's rapid urbanisation, industrialisation and digitalisation.

With a population of around 700 million and economic growth of approximately 5% annually, the region is experiencing steadily rising electricity demand. At the same time, governments across Southeast Asia are increasing investment in renewable generation, electricity grids, energy storage and electric mobility.

This combination is creating growing demand for the technologies and equipment in which Chinese manufacturers have established significant production capacity.

For the Chinese clean-energy industry, Southeast Asia is therefore becoming increasingly important as demand in traditional developed markets faces greater trade and regulatory uncertainty.

Solar + BESS create new opportunities

The expansion of renewable energy across Southeast Asia is also creating stronger demand for integrated Solar + BESS solutions.

As countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia increase renewable generation, battery storage can play an increasingly important role in improving grid flexibility, managing intermittency and supporting electricity supply during periods of high demand.

The growing flow of Chinese solar modules, batteries and grid equipment into the region therefore reflects not only an increase in exports, but also the development of a broader clean-energy ecosystem across Southeast Asia.

For Chinese renewable-energy companies, the region is increasingly becoming a strategic overseas market where Solar, BESS, EVs and grid technologies can participate in the next phase of Southeast Asia's energy transition.