Climargy CEO Alexander Ablaza (upper photos) joins a panel discussion, “Unlocking Investment for Building Energy Efficiency in ASEAN” during the ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2026. Lower photo (from left): Naing Naing Linn of ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), Paula Isabel dela Llana-Nunag of Schneider Electric, Ablaza, Indonesia Vice Minister for Public Works Diana Kusumastuti, Dr. Malle Fofana of the Global Green Growth Institute, Michael Magpusao of Ayala Property Management Corporation, Victoire Vandeville of Agence Française de Développement and Deputy Director General Yan Vandeluxe of the Cambodian General Directorate of Construction. (Photos: ACE)
PASAY CITY, October 6, 2026 – Upon the invitation of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), Climargy CEO Alexander Ablaza emphasized the imperative for energy service companies (ESCOs) across key ASEAN markets to raise project equity and debt capital through successfully negotiated and bankable performance contracts with commercial and industrial building owners. The Climargy position was shared during the plenary session “Unlocking Investment for Building Energy Efficiency in ASEAN” of the ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2026 (AEBF-26), a week-long annual event co-hosted by ACE and the Department of Energy (Philippines) in the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
When asked why, in spite of the USD 42 billion global ESCO market size and the rapid growth in the number of ESCOs in Malaysia and the Philippines, the ESCO market growth in the ASEAN region remains lackluster, Ablaza explained that the ESCO industry badly needs available contract templates to ensure that the ESCOs are able to execute energy savings performance contracts and energy-as-a-service (EaaS) agreements that are “bankable, investable and insurable.” He said, “Contracts that properly share the risks between ESCOs and facility owners will address the previous dilemma of poor ESCO access to finance for the ESCO industry to respond to the market demand of off-balance sheet capital for energy efficiency upgrades.”
Ablaza likewise explained ESCO market benefits of having a super-ESCO like Climargy aggregating several ESCO projects for portfolio-level finance. He also recommended that governments of ASEAN member states quickly promulgate energy efficiency obligations across smaller energy end-users, which should include progressively higher levels of energy audit. He likewise wore the hat of Chair of the Asia-Pacific ESCO Industry Alliance (APEIA) in this and two other sessions of AEBF-26.
Joining the Climargy and APEIA CEO in the panel were Digital Energy & Commercial Enterprise Director Paula Isabel dela Llana-Nunag of Schneider Electric, Deputy Executive Director Dr. Malle Fofana of the Global Green Growth Institute, Chief of Operation Michael F. Magpusao of Ayala Property Management Corporation, Regional Director Victoire Vandeville of Agence Française de Développement and Deputy Director General Yan Vandeluxe of the Cambodian General Directorate of Construction. Naing Naing Linn of ACE served as panel moderator, while Indonesia Vice Minister for Public Works Diana Kusumastuti delivered the context-setting keynote address for the session.
ACE planned the session to examine how ASEAN can unlock investment for energy efficiency projects in buildings. The discussion highlighted common barriers encountered during project development, the role of technical assistance in bridging capacity and information gaps, and the practical conditions needed to ensure project bankability and scalability. Furthermore, the panel also showcased the pilot project as a proven case to build market confidence, strengthen institutional readiness, and inform the design of future financing mechanisms and investment platforms in ASEAN.
First held in 2000, AEBF is organized by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE)’s annual flagship convening platform that brings together policymakers, the industrial leaders, investors, academia and other key stakeholders to engage and advance ASEAN’s key energy cooperation priorities, plans, and commitments, while identifying collaboration and investment opportunities in the energy sector across the region. AEBF contributes to a secure, resilient and a just and inclusive energy transition in Southeast Asia. AEBF is held in conjunction with the annual ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM), which gives the opportunities as well as for the Business to Government (B2G) meeting in the regional level.
Sources: Climargy / ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE)
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