Skyro plans to launch cash loans in Malaysia in the coming months, using AI-driven decision-making and alternative data to assess borrowers with thin credit histories.
The Strait of Hormuz closure narrowed the palm oil-gasoil spread to a 41-month low, making B50 economically viable after months of government hesitation.
The Philippines and Vietnam have the highest renewable penetration in Southeast Asia and the most immediate need for large-scale battery storage, according to FESSIA.
When Thailand briefly suspended fuel exports in early March, Vientiane petrol stations emptied within hours. A 12-million-litre emergency shipment bought time, but the structural dependency remains.
Japan's JGC Corporation is already on the ground in West Kalimantan, supporting NuScale Power's 462 MW SMR feasibility study. The March 15 MoC opens the door to additional deployment sites across the archipelago.
Asia spot LNG prices have doubled to three-year highs. Wood Mackenzie projects Northeast Asian LNG demand to fall 4–5 million tonnes through Q3 2026. The Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand are all turning to coal simultaneously.
The IEA just authorized the largest oil reserve release in its 52-year history—400 million barrels to counter the Hormuz shutdown. Markets climbed back above $100 within days anyway.
Philippines DOE Secretary Garin warned of a potential 16% power rate increase by April as Qatari LNG deliveries stalled after the Strait of Hormuz closure. Domestic gas is now central to the government's short-term response.