Affordable or sustainable? ASEAN youths debate the future of energy

As Southeast Asia navigates its energy transition, countries face the challenge of meeting growing energy demand while keeping power affordable and moving towards a more sustainable future. At the SEA Youth Summit 2026, six young delegates tackled the question of what should be prioritised when resources are limited.

Supported by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) as Strategic Energy Partner, the debate brought youth perspectives to the forefront of a conversation that will have a lasting impact on how Southeast Asia produces, manages, and consumes energy.

Organised by KiniEvents and Malaysiakini and co-organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia, the inaugural SEA Youth Summit featured interactive debates, policy roundtables and cross-border networking. 

In his opening remarks, Osman Mohammad Sany highlighted the growing importance of energy, particularly as electricity demand rises with digitalisation, data centres, electric mobility and new industries. He said the energy transition requires countries to navigate the “energy trilemma” by balancing three interconnected priorities: energy security, sustainability and affordability. While energy security is essential to maintaining a reliable and resilient electricity supply, sustainability calls for a shift towards cleaner energy, while affordability ensures energy remains accessible and supports continued economic growth.

He also explained the role of the younger generation in shaping the region’s energy future. “Platforms such as the SEA Youth Summit allow youths to understand the challenges, question existing thinking and contribute to new ideas,” he said, encouraging the debaters to look beyond choosing between competing priorities and consider how energy security, sustainability and affordability can be balanced through collaboration, technology and innovation.

Two teams went head-to-head on the motion: “In a world with limited resources, this House would prioritise investing in affordable energy before sustainable energy.”

Representing the government bench, Mov David highlighted that affordability should come first when resources are constrained, framing affordable energy as the foundation needed to support people and economic activity. While acknowledging the importance of sustainable energy and the long-term threat of climate change, he argued that the government must first ensure people have access to the energy they need today, particularly during times of crisis when reliable power is critical to recovery and resilience.

Taking home the Best Debater award, Nguyen pushed back on the argument that affordability must come before sustainability, pointing out that the two priorities are not necessarily separate. While the government must protect households from high energy costs today, she said that continued reliance on conventional energy can leave countries exposed to recurring fuel price shocks and the need for repeated government support. Sustainable energy investment could instead build longer-term capacity while reducing exposure to these pressures.

Puteri Jasmin Umairah from the government bench said that the debate should focus not on what an ideal energy system looks like, but on what resource-constrained countries can realistically afford to build. Responding to the opposition’s case for greater investment in renewables, she said that while solar and wind may have relatively low generation costs, building a reliable renewable energy system at scale also requires investment in transmission, storage, grid upgrades and technical capacity. For developing economies with limited fiscal resources and higher financing costs, these requirements cannot simply be overlooked.

Christian countered that prioritising affordability should not mean repeatedly using scarce public resources to make a vulnerable energy system appear affordable without addressing the causes of that vulnerability. While agreeing that low-income households need immediate protection from high energy costs, he argued that this should be accompanied by investment that reduces their exposure to future price shocks. Instead, he advocated investing in domestic renewable generation, storage, energy efficiency and grid resilience as longer-term assets that could ease fiscal pressure over time.

Wasutha said that prioritising affordable energy can meet immediate demand while delivering long-term value through energy reserves, regional power agreements and infrastructure investment. He said renewables alone may not be able to respond quickly enough to surging electricity demand, particularly from data centres, while conventional energy sources can help maintain grid stability and manage prices during the transition. He also highlighted the upfront costs of renewable infrastructure, including stronger grids and battery storage, which could place greater pressure on lower-income households. Ultimately, he argued that affordability and the transition to sustainable energy can progress in parallel, with affordable energy helping to maintain economic stability along the way.

Nathan said that affordability and sustainability should not be treated as opposing priorities, but pursued together. He said renewable energy can be viable for developing countries while maintaining living standards. He also stressed that the government can improve affordability through better economic modelling, energy efficiency, targeted support and investment in renewables. Ultimately, he argued that the transition to net zero is a government responsibility and should be achieved while protecting citizens’ basic needs and ensuring equitable access to energy. His arguments resonated with the audience, earning him the Most Popular Debater award.

In his closing remarks, Alexandar Melamed, Political and Communications Officer from the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia, said the debate reflected real-life policy challenges, particularly the complex balance between energy affordability and the transition towards renewable energy. He encouraged the young participants to keep the conversation going, noting that meaningful solutions can emerge through continued discussion.

As the summit drew to a close, the discussions extended beyond the ideas shared on stage, with youths from across the region connecting through common challenges and aspirations.

Watch the full debate and see how young voices from across ASEAN tackled some of the region’s most pressing questions. Visit the  SEA Youth Summit official website or our KiniEvents Instagram for a closer look at the day’s highlights

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