Energy poverty alleviation in Southeast Asian countries: policy implications for improving access to electricity

Over the past 20 years, the improvement of access to electricity in Southeast Asia has been substantial. The electrification rate in this region has improved from approximately 60% in 2000 to more than 70% in 2010 and more than 90% in 2018. However, there are still 45 million people without access to electricity living mainly in Cambodia and Myanmar where other poverty issues coexist. This study aims to review the progress of the improvement of access to electricity in this region and suggest policy implications for improving access to electricity to combat energy poverty.