SLAMABAD – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a major long-term investment plan worth $70 billion to strengthen energy and digital connectivity across Asia and the Pacific by 2035.
According to Beyond Time News, the initiative focuses on linking power grids between countries, expanding cross-border electricity trade, and improving broadband and digital infrastructure across the region.
ADB President Masato Kanda said energy and digital access will shape the region’s future. He added that stronger regional systems will help countries grow, compete, and stay connected. He said better integration will also reduce costs and expand opportunities for millions of people.
The plan includes two major projects. The Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative will connect national electricity systems so renewable energy can move across borders more easily. The Asia-Pacific Digital Highway will aim to close the digital gap and support artificial intelligence–driven growth.
Under the power grid initiative, ADB plans to mobilize $50 billion by 2035. It will work with governments, private companies, and development partners to build cross-border transmission lines, substations, and energy storage systems.
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The project will also support renewable energy hubs and hybrid power systems that combine generation and storage. These upgrades will help increase clean energy trade between countries.
ADB aims to integrate around 20 gigawatts of renewable energy across borders by 2035. It also plans to connect 22,000 circuit-kilometers of transmission lines and improve electricity access for 200 million people.
The bank expects the initiative to create about 840,000 jobs and reduce regional power sector emissions by 15%.
ADB will finance nearly half of the $50 billion plan from its own resources. It will raise the remaining funds through co-financing, including private sector investment. The bank will also provide technical assistance to support regulatory alignment, feasibility studies, and project planning.
