ADB To Invest USD 70 bn In Asia Power Grids And Digital Networks

06 May 2026 CW Team

The programme comprises two large schemes, the Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative and the Asia-Pacific Digital Highway, proposed at USD 50 bn and USD 20 bn respectively. Under the power grid initiative the bank will work with governments and private stakeholders to develop cross-border electricity infrastructure including transmission lines, substations, storage systems and grid modernisation. The programme aims to integrate around 20 gigawatt of renewable energy, build 22,000 circuit-km of transmission lines and improve electricity access for 200 million (mn) people by 2035.

The initiative is expected to create about 840,000 jobs and to reduce regional power sector emissions by 15 per cent, with the bank indicating it will finance nearly half of the programme from its own resources while mobilising the remainder through co-financing. Officials described the effort as a shift towards a more integrated regional approach to energy trade, building on cooperation frameworks such as the ASEAN power grid and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation energy strategy.

The digital highway will focus on expanding connectivity through investments in fibre networks, satellite links and data centres alongside policy support and skills development. It seeks first-time broadband access for 200 million (mn) people and improved connectivity for another 450 million (mn) by 2035, with cost reductions in remote areas of around 40 per cent and an estimated four million (mn) jobs. The bank plans to contribute USD 15 bn and to raise USD 5 bn through partnerships, and a new centre for artificial intelligence innovation in Seoul will support responsible adoption and train about three million (mn) people in digital and AI-related skills.

The Asian Development Bank announced a major investment initiative mobilising United States dollar (USD 70 billion (bn)) to expand energy and digital infrastructure across Asia and the Pacific by 2035. The bank's president said energy and digital access will play a defining role in shaping the region's future and that the initiatives are intended to link power grids and digital networks to lower costs and expand opportunities. The plan was unveiled at the bank's 59th annual meeting. The programme comprises two large schemes, the Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative and the Asia-Pacific Digital Highway, proposed at USD 50 bn and USD 20 bn respectively. Under the power grid initiative the bank will work with governments and private stakeholders to develop cross-border electricity infrastructure including transmission lines, substations, storage systems and grid modernisation. The programme aims to integrate around 20 gigawatt of renewable energy, build 22,000 circuit-km of transmission lines and improve electricity access for 200 million (mn) people by 2035. The initiative is expected to create about 840,000 jobs and to reduce regional power sector emissions by 15 per cent, with the bank indicating it will finance nearly half of the programme from its own resources while mobilising the remainder through co-financing. Officials described the effort as a shift towards a more integrated regional approach to energy trade, building on cooperation frameworks such as the ASEAN power grid and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation energy strategy. The digital highway will focus on expanding connectivity through investments in fibre networks, satellite links and data centres alongside policy support and skills development. It seeks first-time broadband access for 200 million (mn) people and improved connectivity for another 450 million (mn) by 2035, with cost reductions in remote areas of around 40 per cent and an estimated four million (mn) jobs. The bank plans to contribute USD 15 bn and to raise USD 5 bn through partnerships, and a new centre for artificial intelligence innovation in Seoul will support responsible adoption and train about three million (mn) people in digital and AI-related skills.

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