ASEAN’s digital buildout is becoming a power-delivery story: Indonesia has put stated grid capacity behind a 640MW AI campus, while Thailand is moving household solar from a small programme to system-scale ambition.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE WORLD
BDx breaks ground on a 640MW AI campus in West Java
BDx has begun construction of its CGK4 campus in Jatiluhur, West Java. The company says the 640MW campus is backed by 845MVA of PLN grid capacity, while its first 120MW building is expected to enter service from early 2027.
Why it matters: This is a construction milestone with a stated power position, not simply a land or memorandum announcement. The next test is whether contracted demand converts into phased delivery.
Aolani and NVIDIA target more than 100MW of regional AI-factory capacity
Singapore-founded Aolani announced a compute collaboration with NVIDIA. It says 22,000 GPUs will be deployed across two AI factories in Malaysia and the Philippines in early 2027, taking planned AI-factory capacity above 100MW.
Why it matters: This is a regional deployment claim with stated capacity and locations, but not a disclosed project-financing or power-contract package. The next proof points are sites, grid arrangements and customer commitments.
MUST KNOW
Thailand expands its People’s Solar plan to 10GW
Thailand’s government said it will expand the People’s Solar programme to 10,000MW, retain a THB2.20/kWh surplus-power purchase rate for 20 years, and require grid-readiness planning within a month.
Why it matters: This is materially larger than the household application programme covered last Friday. It remains a policy direction: the commercial test is the implementing regulation, grid capacity and actual enrolment.
The Visayas grid moves from yellow to red alert
The Philippines’ Visayas grid entered a red alert on 22 September after the 56.6MW Palinpinon-2 geothermal unit went out alongside higher demand. Several coal units remained unavailable.
Why it matters: It is a live reminder that available capacity and reserve margins—not announced pipelines—determine system reliability. It sharpens the case for return-to-service discipline, transmission and flexible supply.
DEALS & PROJECTS
Tera signs conditional RM1.013 billion land purchase for a Negeri Sembilan data-centre site
Eco Business Park 7 agreed to sell 221.7 acres in Port Dickson to Tera Data Centers Malaysia for approximately RM1.013 billion. The sale remains conditional.
Why it matters: This is a real land-control transaction that extends Malaysia’s data-centre geography beyond Johor and Greater KL. It does not yet establish facility capacity, power, tenants, construction finance or completion timing.
Indonesia offers Mamberamo’s 23GW hydropower potential to investors
At Electricity Connect, Indonesia’s energy minister invited investors to develop Papua’s Mamberamo River hydropower potential, estimated at 23GW, alongside the Kayan River’s roughly 12GW potential.
Why it matters: The capacity is a resource estimate and an investor invitation—not a tender, concession, financing close or construction plan. Its investability will depend on permitting, transmission, environmental and offtake structure.
WORTH TALKING ABOUT
ADB launches a US$6 billion ASEAN blue-economy initiative
ADB said it will mobilise up to US$6 billion through 2030 for coastal resilience, fisheries, port-linked value chains and marine-pollution reduction in Southeast Asia.
Why it matters: This is a regional capital-mobilisation platform, not committed project finance. The useful follow-through will be named country programmes, project preparation and private-capital structures.
TECHNOLOGY & IDEAS
A Philippine solar project seeks authority for its dedicated grid connection
Solenergy Generation filed for authority to construct and operate a dedicated point-to-point facility connecting its 5MWac Guiwanon Solar Power Plant to Bantayan Island Electric Cooperative’s distribution system.
Why it matters: Small, but precisely the type of otherwise-unreported connection decision that determines whether project capacity can become usable power. It is an application, not approval.
WIDER LOOP
Vietnam seeks USTDA support for strategic infrastructure project preparation
Vietnam’s leadership asked the US Trade and Development Agency to help identify and support strategic energy, power-grid, digital-infrastructure, data-centre, aviation, port and logistics projects.
Why it matters: This creates no funding commitment or named project. It is worth watching because USTDA-backed feasibility work can become an early route for US technology and finance into Vietnamese infrastructure.
Thailand rooftop-solar installer registration closes 30 September
The registration window for installers and eligible equipment closes next Wednesday. Watch for final programme terms, grid conditions and any confirmation that the new 10GW direction changes the current scheme.
— The Infra Loop