ADB Unveils $70 Billion Asia-Pacific Energy and Digital Program

SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan — The Asian Development Bank announced a $70 billion program on Sunday to bolster energy and digital infrastructure across Asia and the Pacific by 2035, focusing on interconnected power grids and expanded broadband access.

The Manila-based multilateral lender unveiled the plan during the inaugural session of its annual meeting here. It comprises two initiatives: the $50 billion Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative and the $20 billion Asia-Pacific Digital Highway. ADB President Masato Kanda described the effort as essential for regional growth. "Energy and digital access will define the region's future," he said. "These two initiatives build the systems Asia and the Pacific need to grow, compete, and connect. By linking power grids and digital networks across borders, we can lower costs, expand opportunity, and bring reliable power and digital access to hundreds of millions of people."

The Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative aims to connect national and subregional electricity systems for cross-border renewable energy flows. ADB will collaborate with governments, utilities, private investors, and partners to fund transmission infrastructure, including interconnectors,...