This report “ASEAN Low-carbon Energy Technologies Roadmap (ALERT) – Phase I: ASEAN’s Long-term Strategy on Hydrogen and Ammonia” by ERIA summarises the global hydrogen landscape; highlights the role of hydrogen in ASEAN Member States (AMS); and presents a proposed comprehensive roadmap for the development and deployment of low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia technologies in the ASEAN region, outlining strategic steps until 2050. The roadmap provides a structured approach for ASEAN to integrate hydrogen and ammonia into its energy system across three key phases: the short term (2025–2030), medium term (2031–2040), and long term (2041–2050).
As countries all around the world seek ways to decarbonise multiple sectors, hydrogen is a main option, thanks to its abundance in nature, low weight, and high gravimetric energy. Hydrogen can be produced from various methods – through renewable energy such as solar and wind via electrolysis (green hydrogen), steam methane reforming and coal gasification (grey hydrogen), and carbon capture (blue hydrogen) – making it a promising alternative for fuels.
Ammonia is a hydrogen carrier with higher volumetric energy density. Ammonia consists of 17.7% hydrogen in molecular weight and can be stored in simple and cost-effective pressure vessels. Ammonia can be used directly or re-converted by a process called ‘cracking’, which releases a non-toxic, non-greenhouse gas (GHG), making ammonia (and hydrogen) a valuable option to decarbonise the energy sector and beyond.
The ASEAN region stands at a critical juncture in its energy transition, facing rapidly growing energy demand and the pressing need to mitigate climate-change impacts. Hydrogen and ammonia present significant opportunities for AMS to decarbonise their economies, enhance energy security, and support the integration of renewable energy.
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