Category: 3. Business

“Gold and silver prices are experiencing a notable rise due to the interplay of several economic, investment, and geopolitical factors,” said Rania Gule from trading platform XS.com.

The main driver of the price rises of precious metals, she added, are expectations that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again in 2026. Prices of gold and silver were also buoyed by gold purchases by central banks and investors buying so-called “safe haven” assets due to concerns about global tensions and economic uncertainty.

Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at investment platform AJ Bell, said soaring gold and silver prices had been driven by investors “latching onto precious metals in response to concerns over inflation” as well as volatile stock markets.

“The market backdrop looks unchanged as we move into 2026,” he added.

Mr Coatsworth said high government debt in the UK and US, as well as Donald Trump’s tariffs and nerves over a potential AI bubble, would encourage investors to “stay bullish on gold and silver”.

But he warned sharp gains for the assets in 2025 make them vulnerable to a sharp pullback next year.

He said: “If financial markets go through a difficult patch, investors looking to liquidate positions might first reach for assets that have delivered strong gains in the past year or so, or ones that are easy to sell. Gold ticks both boxes.”

Ms Gule said she expects gold to continue to rise in 2026 but “at a more stable pace compared to the record highs observed in 2025”.

Also this year, central banks around the world added hundreds of tons of gold to their reserves, according to the World Gold Council trade association.

Daniel Takieddine, co-founder of investment firm Sky Links Capital Group, points to “supply tightness and industrial demand” for helping to push up the price of silver.

China, which is the world’s second biggest producer of silver, has said it would restrict the export of the precious metal.

In October, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced new restrictions on exports of silver as well as the metals tungsten and antimony to “to step up the protection of resources and the environment”.

Responding to a post on social media about Chinese government restrictions on silver exports, Tesla boss Elon Musk said: “This is not good. Silver is needed in many industrial processes.”

Mr Takieddine also highlighted the large amounts of money that have flowed into the precious metals market through investments like exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

ETFs are baskets of investments that trade on a stock exchange like a single stock. They can be seen as a convenient way to trade precious metals as investors do not have to take possession of physical bullion.

Silver also has the potential to rise again in the coming year, said Mr Takieddine. But he warns “rallies may be followed by sharper corrections.”

Gold and silver have seen a rollercoaster end to a year in which their prices are on track to record their biggest annual gains since 1979.

The price of gold soared by more than 60% this year to hit a record high of more than $4,549 (£3,378) an ounce before falling after Christmas to stand at about $4,330 on New Year’s Eve.

At the same time, silver was trading at about $71 an ounce after hitting an all-time high of $83.62 on Monday.

This year’s gains were driven by several factors including expectations of more interest rate cuts, gold purchases by central banks and investors buying so-called “safe haven” assets due to concerns about global tensions and economic uncertainty.

“Gold and silver prices are experiencing a notable rise due to the interplay of several economic, investment, and geopolitical factors,” said Rania Gule from trading platform XS.com.

The main driver of the price rises of precious metals, she added, are expectations that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again in 2026.

Also this year, central banks around the world added hundreds of tons of gold to their reserves, according to the World Gold Council trade association.

Daniel Takieddine, co-founder of investment firm Sky Links Capital Group, points to “supply tightness and industrial demand” for helping to push up the price of silver.

China, which is the world’s second biggest producer of silver, has said it would restrict the export of the precious metal.

In October, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced new restrictions on exports of silver as well as the metals tungsten and antimony to “to step up the protection of resources and the environment”.

Responding to a post on social media about Chinese government restrictions on silver exports, Tesla boss Elon Musk said: “This is not good. Silver is needed in many industrial processes.”

Mr Takieddine also highlighted the large amounts of money that have flowed into the precious metals market through investments like exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

ETFs are baskets of investments that trade on a stock exchange like a single stock. They can be seen as a convenient way to trade precious metals as investors do not have to take possession of physical bullion.

Ms Gule said she expects gold to continue to rise in 2026 but “at a more stable pace compared to the record highs observed in 2025”.

Silver also has the potential to rise again in the coming year, said Mr Takieddine. But he warns “rallies may be followed by sharper corrections.”

The Asia-Pacific region continues to accelerate its energy transition, with governments and industry leaders rolling out new policies, launching innovative projects, and updating regulations to foster sustainability, attract investment and drive economic growth.

Here’s a roundup of the latest developments from key markets in the region, including:

Singapore: Second Data Centre Capacity Exercise and Biomethane Sandbox Launched

Singapore Launches Data Centre – Call for Application 2

On December 1, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) launched their second “Data Centre – Call for Application” (CFA) exercise (DC-CFA 2). The CFA is Singapore’s primary mechanism for allocating data centre capacity and ensuring the sustainable building of new data centre capacity, following Singapore’s lifting of the data centre development moratorium in 2022.

Historically, Singapore has been a data centre hub in Asia, but since 2019, when the moratorium was imposed, new capacity has been limited. The launch of DC-CFA 2 is good news for hyperscalers and other players looking to develop data centres in Singapore. The last CFA exercise was held in 2023, where 80 MW of new capacity was awarded to four data centre operators.

Under DC-CFA 2, at least 200 MW of new data centre capacity will be made available – and potentially more through the adoption of new green energy pathways. Applications for DC-CFA 2 will close on March 31, 2026.

Amongst other things, DC-CFA 2 applications will be assessed based on their ability to:

• Strengthen Singapore’s international digital connectivity, digital infrastructure resilience and contribute to making Singapore a trusted hub for technology innovation
• Drive growth of Singapore’s digital economy and improve the competitiveness of Singapore’s industries and companies via the use of cutting edge technologies
• Run best-in-class data centres, including in terms of energy efficiency, power usage effectiveness and the use of green energy. In particular, at least 50% of the proposed data centre’s energy requirements must be powered by eligible green energy pathways. Such pathways include biomethane, low-carbon ammonia, low-carbon hydrogen, novel fuel cells with carbon capture and storage technology, or vertical building-integrated photovoltaics/building-applied photovoltaics.

We expect the requirements imposed under DC-CFA 2 will stimulate activity in related sectors as well. Given that data centres are significant users of energy, the focus of DC-CFA 2 on specific eligible green energy pathways will undoubtedly drive growth in the development of projects in those sectors. We have already observed an acceleration in the supply and procurement of different forms of low-carbon energy such as biomethane and biomethane-derived energy, low-carbon hydrogen and low-carbon ammonia. We anticipate this to only grow with time as demand for such new options increase.

Singapore Launches Closed Biomethane Call for Proposals Exercise

The EDB issued a closed call for proposals under a “biomethane sandbox” to test biomethane’s potential for power generation and industrial applications. Biomethane is seen as a promising decarbonisation pathway for Singapore due to its viability as a replacement for natural gas, which is currently around 95% of Singapore’s electricity generation. Biomethane can be used interchangeably with natural gas and thus supports the continued use of existing natural gas infrastructure (including CCGTs).

The sandbox aims to:

• Catalyse supply chain development and allow for testing of biomethane’s viability in a controlled environment
• Facilitate matching of supply and demand within the energy sector in Singapore before broader market deployment

Under the sandbox, 300 MW of capacity is available for allocation to power generators who will act as trade aggregators. Results of the sandbox are expected around early 2026.

While the sandbox is currently limited to select few players, it demonstrates a further step towards Singapore’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050, and signals Singapore’s readiness to incorporate biomethane as a new energy source in the (near) future.

Indonesia: Developments in the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) and Carbon Trading Sectors

Indonesia Issues New WTE Regulation

In October, the President of Indonesia issued Presidential Regulation No. 109 of 2025 on the “Handling of Urban Waste through Processing of Waste into Renewable Energy Using Environmentally Friendly Technology” (PR 109/2025), which revokes Presidential Regulation No. 35 of 2018 on the “Acceleration of Development of Waste-to-Energy Installations Using Environmentally Friendly Technology.”

• PR 109/2025 is meant to improve bankability, clarify commercial mechanisms and align WTE with Indonesia’s broader climate and energy targets, with the aim of providing a workable framework for WTE projects.
• Danantara, Indonesia’s new sovereign wealth fund, is positioned as the central orchestrator of Indonesia’s WTE program. Danatara will lead project preparation, run competitive tenders and, where commercially viable, invest equity alongside private sponsors and SOEs.
• PR 109/2025 replaces the old two‑payment model with a single, 30‑year fixed feed‑in tariff of USD 0.20/kWh paid by PLN, the state electricity company, with priority dispatch and a requirement for PLN to sign the power purchase agreement within 10 working days after pre‑construction permits are obtained. To protect PLN’s finances, the state can compensate PLN if WTE purchases raise average generation cost or require special interconnection.
• The new regime eliminates tipping fees, which minimises project on project risk. There is no municipal gate‑fee revenue, and developers are paid only through the tariff.For offtake, penalties when output shortfalls are caused by technical issues beyond the project company’s control or by insufficient waste supply are waived, and PR 109/2025 mentions “take‑and‑pay” only in that limited context. Market practice is that this is not a full “take‑and‑pay” deal.
• Final “take‑and‑pay” versus “take‑or‑pay” details will be set out in PLN’s standardized PPA. We would expect these to include priority dispatch, deemed dispatch and commissioning for government force majeure and force majeure affecting PLN’s grid, and other typical take‑or‑pay protections used in Indonesian renewable IPPs, while keeping the no‑penalty rule for outside technical faults and waste‑supply shortfalls.

Indonesia Develops its Domestic Carbon Trading System

Also in October, the President issued Presidential Regulation No. 110 of 2025 on the “Organization of Carbon Economic Value Instruments and National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Controls” (PR 110/2025), which repeals the previous governing PR 98/2021 and becomes the main legal framework for carbon emissions control.

• The regulation permits allocations of CO2e during designated periods as part of the carbon economic value framework and revises the accounting framework to avoid double counting. This new allocation framework is the basis for the planning of Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Accords.
• It revises the carbon trading mechanism, including affirming that parties may trade carbon units prior to Indonesia’s meeting certain NDC targets. For both international and domestic transactions, it allows direct trading and the use of a carbon exchange, with a new registry system. Combined with Indonesia’s Mutual Recognition Agreement with the Gold Standard in May 2025, Indonesia is moving to standardize its carbon verification and attract international investment.
• While PR 110/2025 recognizes carbon taxes as part of the overall framework of regulation, like the previous framework, it does not change the current rate of 30,000 IDR per tonne.

PR 110/2025 broadly advances Indonesia’s sustainability goals but should been seen as an evolution of its carbon regulatory system, not a revolution. It moves Indonesia closer to the international standards of carbon trading. Business actors subject to capped sectors will need to be aware of their updated compliance obligations under the new standards.

Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia: Talks on PLN Green Super Grid

Indonesia is engaging with Singapore and Malaysia to develop a cross‑border data centre network integrated with its Green Super Grid. The Green Super Grid, included in PLN’s RUPTL 2025–2034, aims to connect renewable energy from remote areas to major demand centres, supporting Indonesia’s Net Zero Emissions 2060 goal while enhancing grid reliability and integrating smart technologies.

According to the Indonesian government, the data centres’ power supply will be drawn from the Green Super Grid, enabling a clean-energy connection across the region. The transmission network is planned to stretch from Sumatra to Nusa Tenggara, linking to Riau Islands province and directly powering the rapidly growing data centre cluster in Batam, with potential future expansion in Bintan.

The initiative highlights Indonesia’s efforts to combine digital infrastructure growth with its renewable energy and climate targets, while fostering regional energy cooperation. The largest hurdle remains the investment cost for transmission, especially as Indonesia continues to await $472 billion in global climate finance commitments.

Malaysia: Accelerates towards a Low Carbon Renewable Energy Future

Malaysia Introduces Carbon Tax in 2026

As part of Malaysia’s Budget 2026 announced in October, the government introduced a carbon tax that is anticipated to start in 2026. This marks Malaysia’s first explicit pricing mechanism for greenhouse gas emissions.

• The carbon tax will be implemented in phases, starting with selected high-emission industries, including energy, steel and cement. This scope is expected to extend over time.
• The carbon tax will operate within Malaysia’s broader climate policy architecture, alongside the National Carbon Market Policy and the Climate Change Bill, which has been postponed but is expected to be tabled for its first reading in Parliament in 2026.
• Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani indicated in December that the Climate Change Bill will be prioritised before the carbon tax is formally implemented.

The carbon tax will incentivise the reduction of emissions and efforts to decarbonise emissions reduction, with a view to improving energy efficiency and supporting the transition to cleaner energy sources (rather than function purely as a revenue-raising measure). It will also allow Malaysia to demonstrate lower carbon footprints through verifiable carbon offsets (which will in turn enhance competitiveness in international markets), and help Malaysia better manage external trade risks, including exposure to carbon border measures imposed by major export markets.

Malaysia Expands FiT by 300 MW for Biogas, Biomass and Small Hydro

Alongside the carbon tax, Malaysia’s Budget 2026 also introduced various incentives for renewable energy deployment. One such incentive is the introduction of additional 300 MW of capacity under Malaysia’s Feed-in Tariff (FiT) for new biogas, biomass and small hydro projects (expected to begin operations around 2028).

This expanded FiT allocation will provide guaranteed, long-term tariffs for eligible renewable generators and, accordingly, secure predictable revenue streams. This lowers investment risk and accelerates their development and deployment, ultimately diversifying Malaysia’s renewable power mix beyond solar.

The various measures and incentives introduced in Budget 2026 highlights Malaysia’s commitment to its decarbonization goals and being a regional clean energy hub.

Vietnam: Passes Landmark AI Law and Special Mechanisms for Energy Development

Vietnam: National Assembly Adopts First‑Ever AI Law

On December 10, the 15th National Assembly passed Vietnam’s first Law on Artificial Intelligence, together with targeted amendments to the Intellectual Property Law and a revised Law on High Technology, all receiving overwhelming support from deputies. According to the Minister of Science and Technology, the new AI Law sets out core principles, defines prohibited acts and introduces a risk management framework informed by international best practices.

The law takes a comprehensive approach: it regulates inputs through data governance, oversees usage via legal and ethical frameworks, and manages outcomes by enforcing accountability. To balance regulation with innovation, strict safeguards will apply to high-risk AI systems, which will be identified on a list approved and updated by the Prime Minister. At the same time, the law tries to encourage development through top-tier incentives, controlled sandbox testing with partial or full exemptions, the establishment of a National AI Development Fund, and a voucher scheme to support startups.

Regulatory oversight will be centralised under the government, with the Ministry of Science and Technology serving as the coordinating body. Technical conformity assessments will be required only for high-risk systems included on the Prime Minister’s list.

The new AI Law will take effect on  March 1, 2026.

Vietnam: Special Mechanisms to Accelerate Energy Development

Following Vietnam’s Politburo’s Resolution No. 70 NQ/TW on a comprehensive energy strategy to 2030 (vision to 2045), on December 11, the National Assembly passed Resolution 253/2025/QH15 on mechanisms and policies for the development of national energy for the period 2026–2030. This is considered an implementing resolution introducing a package of special mechanisms and policies to remove longstanding bottlenecks in national energy development for 2026–2030. 

The resolution targets four priorities:

• Flexible adjustments to Vietnam’s national Power Development Plan 8 (as revised) and for rolling out the electricity supply network
• Streamlined investment and construction of power projects
• An enabling framework for offshore wind
• Establishing energy information systems and databases

The new Resolution also sets parameters for direct power purchase agreements (DPPAs).  Implementing regulations will be required, but the resolution is a necessary step to encourage private sector and international investment in large scale power plants – the cornerstone of Vietnam’s energy transition and capacity building objectives.  The new resolution encourages both state-owned and private enterprises to research and invest in small modular nuclear power (using Small Modular Reactors), requires compliance with nuclear safety and atomic energy laws. Implementing regulations by the government will also be required.

The new resolution was the subject of intense lobbying by power project developers, relevant government ministries and SOEs, and diplomatically from Vietnam’s investment partners, but perhaps the biggest news is what the new resolution did not include.  

Despite appearing in earlier discussion drafts, at the last minute before the new resolution was passed, long-awaited guidelines setting parameters for state support for re-establishing build operate and transfer (BOT) schemes for large scale power plant and for LNG to power projects were pulled from the resolution.  The earlier draft guidelines for BOT power looked quite promising from an international perspective, however market consensus was that the LNG to power provisions fell way short.  Removing these from the resolution may ultimately prove to be a good thing if it results in the government going back to the drawing board on these guidelines, given the criticism that the working draft provisions for LNG to power were insufficient to make these large investment scale projects bankable. It also may be that the government wants to wait until after the January 2026 Communist Party conference and key leadership appointments before returning to consider further regulation and support for these key sectors. This remains a space to watch.

India: Legislative Action to Encourage Foreign Investment

India’s Solar Park Scheme Extends to March 2029

India’s scheme for the Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects (Solar Park Scheme) has been extended for three years, from March 31, 2026 to March 31, 2029, for approved projects to reach completion. Approvals for new projects under the Solar Park Scheme will still need to be granted before March 31, 2026 for a project to be eligible thereunder.

The Solar Park Scheme, originally launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in 2014, was implemented to facilitate the development of solar parks and solar projects to add an additional 20 GW of solar power capacity, later increased to 40 GW. A key benefit of the Solar Park Scheme is that it reduces risks for developers by providing pre-installed amenities for the project, such as government-owned land, traditionally a significant bottleneck.

The extension of the deadline for the completion of projects approved under the Solar Park Scheme will be welcome news to developers, especially those facing supply chain issues due to the impact of U.S.-imposed tariffs on Chinese solar panels and other essential solar products. This will also incentivise foreign developers and investors to continue developing, financing and investing in India’s growing solar energy sector.

India Adopts New Maritime Laws to Support Port Development

The Indian Government has adopted five key maritime-related statutes in 2025 to replace its pre-independence era counterparts, namely:

• Indian Ports Act 2025 (Port Act)
• Merchant Shipping Act 2025
• Coastal Shipping Act 2025
• Carriage of Goods by Seal Act 2025
• Bills of Lading Act 2025

Given India’s deep waters and long coastlines, which are ideal for port development and maritime trade, these modernised pieces of legislation show the Indian Government’s commitment to supporting India in its ambitions to unlock its potential as a leading maritime hub.

According to the Ministry of Shipping’s 2024-2025 Annual Report, approximately 95% of India’s trade volume is through maritime routes, and tonnage is expected to grow further in the coming years. This will be supported by the development of “mega ports” under the Port Act, which are expected to handle large volumes of international cargo. The Port Act also seeks to sharpen the classification criteria for types of ports, and create a robust governance regime and operational framework (including tariff determination) to support the development and operations of Indian ports.

One key feature is the adaptation of an environmental compliance framework in alignment with the MARPOL Convention and the Ballast Water Management Convention. Keeping in line with such international standards will be crucial in meeting international developers and financiers’ ESG requirements in the development and financing of such ports.

For foreign investors and developers, the Indian port development sector represents potential opportunities, whether for direct investment and development, or the expected increased trade as a result.

India’s New Unified Labour Codes Comes into Force

India’s unified Labour Codes came into force on November 21, 2025. These implement the four major Labour Codes (Code on Wages 2019, Industrial Relations Code 2020, Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020 and Code on Social Security 2020), consolidating the 29 separate central labour statutes that previously governed the nation’s labour laws. As part of such consolidation, these 29 central labour statutes have now been repealed.

The unified Labour Codes seeks to bring more balance to the nation’s labour laws, which have historically been skewed in favour of the employee. For example, it includes certain provisions encouraging broader employer accountability, such as the expansion of the definitions of “employer” and “employee.” In the event of any inconsistency with existing law, policies, contracts, awards and settlements, the unified Labour Codes will prevail.

As the new unified Labour Codes are now in effect, employers must take immediate action to ensure compliance. Existing and potential investors into Indian companies or projects will also need to ensure that local companies or projects comply.

Philippines: Progress on OSW Auction and New Carbon Credits Framework

DOE Releases Notice of Auction, Terms of Reference and Proposed Price for GEA-5

The Philippines’ fifth Green Energy Auction Program (GEA-5) that is focussed on offshore wind (OSW) was launched on November 25, 2025, with the Department of Energy (DOE) releasing the Notice of Auction and Terms of Reference. 3.3 GW of capacity will be available for delivery between 2028 and 2030. GEA-5 is the Philippines’ first dedicated competitive green energy auction for fixed-bottom OSW projects. Successful tenderers will be awarded 20-year supply contracts.

The Green Energy Auction Reserve (GEAR) price proposed by the Energy Regulatory Commission, which represents the tariff rate ceiling, is P10.3859/kWh. Public consultations on the GEAR price are expected to be held on January 5 to 6, 2026, with the GEAR price set to be finalised on January 14, 2026.

The Terms of Reference contain robust and strengthened provisions on matters such as grid connection, port use, access and queueing rules, bid bonds and performance bonds.

Two ports, Pambujan Port in Camarines Norte and Sta. Clara Port in Batangas, will be key installation ports for OSW projects under GEA-5.

The DOE is expected to provide further details on the registration timeline, including dates for a pre-bid conference. In the meantime, potential developers should start working on the preparation of registration requirements, including infrastructure plans, wind resource assessments and corporate documents.

Philippines’ First Carbon Credit Policy Framework

In October, the Philippines’ DOE issued the nation’s first set of carbon credit policy framework for the domestic energy sector via Department Circular No. DC2025-09-0018, titled “Providing the General Guidelines for the Generation, Management and Monitoring of Carbon Credits in the Energy Sector.”

This framework outlines rules for ownership, use, transfer and verification of carbon credit certificates (CCC), which will be the official DOE-recognised unit for a verified reduction of one tonne of CO2 (or equivalent). In particular, the framework sets out detailed eligibility rules for projects or programs to generate CCCs, and requirements for qualification for trading with other nations’ carbon market systems as an Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcome under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

This framework will be relevant to developers, investors and financiers currently structuring or developing projects intended to generate carbon credits, in particular, to ensure that such projects meet the eligibility criteria for the generation of CCCs. It will be interesting to see if and to what extent this new framework and the CCCs successfully drive projects forward and develop the Philippines’ carbon market on an international level.

Thailand: Draft Data Centre DPPA Regulations

In October, Thailand’s energy regulator, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), published draft regulations for DPPAs for data centres in Thailand (Draft DPPA Regulations), signalling a major step towards liberalising renewable power procurement while supporting the country’s digital infrastructure ambitions. The Draft DPPA Regulations come on the back of the National Energy Policy Council’s approval of the DPPA policy in June 2024, which allows eligible data centres to source up to 2 GW of renewable energy directly from power producers. They are expected to come into effect in January 2026.

Under the Draft DPPA Regulations, data centres in Thailand promoted by the Board of Investment (BOI) are permitted to contract directly with renewable energy generators, with electricity wheeled through the national grid. This is intended to help data centre developers and investors secure competitively priced renewable power and meet their ESG targets, as well as incentivise foreign investment in the sector.

Power producers and data centres may apply for eligibility under the DPPA scheme:

• Power producers: Only production from fully renewable energy sources, or from renewable energy sources coupled with battery storage can be used. The plant must be a new facility with a least 1,000 kVA installed capacity without any existing PPAs in place. Foreign ownership of the plant is permitted, but foreign ownership of the land is only permitted for BOI‑promoted foreign investors.
• Data centres: Data centres must, amongst other things, hold a BOI investment promotion, have a minimum IT base load of 50 MW per building and be 100% powered by renewable energy. They will need to submit a 10-year plan setting out their proposed DPPAs, usage of the national grid and total load projections. They must also have an MOU or LOI in place with one or more power producers and must not have generated any revenue.

Taiwan: 2025 Year in Review and a Look Ahead

2025 was a pivotal year for Taiwan’s offshore wind sector, marked by both challenges and renewed optimism.

• The Ministry of Economic Affairs continued to push forward with plans for the next major auction, Round 3.3, even as the industry grappled with the cancellation of several Round 3.2 projects.
• These setbacks highlighted the difficulties developers faced under the previous auction rules, which essentially mean that projects rely solely on corporate PPAs to be investable and bankable (with no fallback means of revenue generation). These corporate PPAs are hard to secure at the necessary scale and pricing.
• Recognising these challenges, authorities began consulting with industry leaders to reshape the framework for Round 3.3. Notably, the introduction of a floor price is under consideration, which could signal a return of some form of financial support and make future projects more attractive to investors.

Looking ahead, the Round 3.3 auction, now expected in 2026, will be crucial. It remains to be seen whether policy makers incorporate industry feedback and lessons learned from previous rounds.

• The new auction rules and tender process, anticipated to be announced in 2026, will likely shape the future of Taiwan’s offshore wind sector, especially as the country approaches its 2030 target of 10.9 GW and longer-term ambitions of up to 55 GW by 2050.
• With nearshore sites becoming scarce, the sector may soon transition to deeper waters using floating wind technology (although cost pressures mean that this is only likely if subsidy support is provided), making the upcoming auction a key milestone in Taiwan’s clean energy journey.

South Korea: Updates to the Offshore Wind Market

South Korea Establishes New Ministry to replace MOTIE

In October 2025, South Korea established the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE), consolidating climate, energy and environmental policies under one governmental ministry. The MCEE assumed the energy-related functions from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), including oversight of domestic nuclear power, grid improvements and 21 public enterprises such as KEPCO and its subsidiaries (which are also known collectively as GenCos). Crucially for offshore wind, this ministerial reorganisation means the transfer of key approvals under the forthcoming Special Act on the Promotion of Offshore Wind Power and Industry Development (also known as the One-Stop Shop Act) from the MOTIE to the MCEE.

MCEE Significantly Revises Offshore Wind Deployment Plan

In December, the MCEE announced a significantly revised “Offshore Wind Infrastructure Expansion and Deployment Plan” following the second meeting of the Interagency Offshore Wind Acceleration Task Force. Notably:

• The government reduced its offshore wind capacity target from the previously announced 14.3 GW by 2030 to 10.5 GW, marking the first major policy adjustment by the current administration.
• The revised plan shifts focus from deployment quotas to infrastructure development, targeting annual deployment capacity of 4.0 GW by 2030 and cumulative capacity of 25.0 GW by 2035.
• The revised plan prioritises critical infrastructure development including:

• Expanding port capacity from the current 0.6 GW to 4.0 GW per year by 2030
• Securing at least four 15-MW wind turbine installation vessels by 2030
• Establishing a dedicated offshore wind power promotion task force to streamline permitting and review of potential conflicts with military operations
• Targeting cost reduction to KRW250 per kWh by 2030 and KRW150 per kWh by 2035
• Reducing project development timelines from 10 years to approximately 6.5 years

The establishment of the MCEE and the revised Offshore Wind Infrastructure Expansion and Deployment Plan represent a significant shift toward centralised and streamlined energy governance. In particular:

• Together with the newly established offshore wind power promotion task force, these are expected to streamline permitting processes and enhance coordination for offshore wind projects. The institutional change is consistent with the objectives of the One-Stop Shop Act passed earlier in 2025, creating a more integrated approach to offshore wind development.
• With the energy departmental transfer to the MCEE from the MOTIE, industry speculation has also suggested possible increased focus on climate and environmental criteria in future auctions. This would complement the existing emphasis on security and supply chain evaluation that have shaped recent competition outcomes (see our previous update for more on this).
• The revised Offshore Wind Infrastructure Expansion and Deployment Plan includes comprehensive support mechanisms for various pressure points in the Korean offshore wind sector, including permitting, supply chains and infrastructure.

South Korea’s NREC Unveils H2 2025 Onshore Wind Auction Guidelines

In November, the South Korean New and Renewable Energy Centre (NREC) announced its guidelines for the second-half 2025 onshore wind competitive auction (November Guidelines). Notably, these H2 Guidelines do not cover offshore wind pending the resolution of “permitting uncertainties and inter-ministerial coordination requirements”.

The November Guidelines indicated that there may be a slight delay for the offshore wind competitive auction while permitting uncertainties and inter-ministerial coordination requirements are being resolved. The next offshore wind tender is expected to take place in Q1 2026.

Korea Energy Agency Revises PPA Intermediary Market

Following the first pilot in October 2024, Korea Energy Agency has revised its PPA intermediary market connecting renewable energy developers with RE100 companies.  The revised system allows more flexible matching ratios (1:1, N:1, 1:N) and extends negotiation periods, addressing previous concerns about rigid contract structures and insufficient coordination time for large-scale projects.

The revised PPA intermediary market is hoped to address important gaps identified in the initial pilot, particularly around contract flexibility and negotiation timelines. With RE100 commitments accelerating among Korean corporations, successful implementation could provide an alternative revenue stream for offshore wind developers beyond traditional RPS contracts as has been the case in other more established offshore wind markets such as Taiwan.

Dispute Resolution: Round-up of Latest Developments in Asia

A new section in Orrick’s APAC Energy Pulse

In 2025, Asia witnessed important strides in dispute resolution, reinforcing the region’s role as a dynamic hub for arbitration, mediation and legal cooperation. Asia’s rapidly evolving dispute resolution landscape is largely driven by institutional reforms, strategic positioning of regional hubs and international partnerships.

Some standout developments to highlight as we close out the year:

• Singapore and China signed a new Joint Declaration on Cooperation at the 5th Singapore-China International Commercial Dispute Resolution Conference in October 2025

This commitment between dispute resolution institutions – including Singapore’s Ministry of Law, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the Singapore International Mediation Centre and Chinese arbitration bodies such as China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) aims to deepen legal cooperation, enhance procedural innovation, and address emerging challenges such as AI-related disputes.

• Several leading arbitration institutions in Asia updated their rules to reflect global best practices and to improve efficiency

A key development this year was the introduction by SIAC of revised arbitration rules in January 2025, reaffirming Singapore’s role as a leading international arbitration hub.  The revised rules introduced new features like the Streamlined Procedure for smaller disputes, Coordinated Proceedings for multi-case management, enhanced Emergency Arbitrator powers (including ex parte Protective Preliminary Orders), clearer tribunal authority for preliminary determinations, mandatory mediation promotion and specific rules for third-party funding disclosure, all aimed at faster, more cost-effective resolution.

The Korean Commercial Arbitration Board is also planning major updates to its international arbitration rules in January 2026. This will be the first significant overhaul since 2016, and will include new mechanisms for arbitrator challenges, e-filing, virtual hearings, early case screening and enhanced transparency requirements.

• Countries across Southeast Asia actively positioning themselves as dispute resolution centres

One example is Malaysia, which is pursuing a strategic vision to become a global dispute resolution hub, underpinned by reforms such as the launch of the Asian International Arbitration Centre’s new suite of rules 2026 and the establishment of the AIAC Court of Arbitration. The establishment of the AIAC Court of Arbitration is designed to reinforce institutional independence and set new regional benchmarks for vest practices. The new rules, which will take effect on January 1, 2026, will provide for greater access to fast-track procedures, more detailed third-party funding disclosure requirements and an enhanced framework for arbitrator appointments and challenges.