SOHEL PARVEZ, from Samarkand

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) yesterday launched $70 billion worth of new energy and digital infrastructure initiatives to be implemented by 2035, aiming to connect power grids, expand cross-border electricity trade, and improve broadband access across Asia and the Pacific.

Bangladesh is expected to play an important role in linking South Asia and Southeast Asia, particularly in power grids, officials said.

ADB President Masato Kanda announced the initiative at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of ADB in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The four-day event began yesterday.

“Energy and digital access will define the region’s future,” Kanda said. “ADB is bringing Asia and the Pacific together to build the energy grids and digital highways that will power the region’s future.”

The initiative includes $50 billion for the Pan-Asia Power Grid and $20 billion for the Asia-Pacific Digital Highway.

“Across developing Asia, demand for reliable and affordable electricity is growing faster than systems can deliver. The Pan-Asia Power Grid will help countries connect their power systems, scale up cross-border electricity trade, and accelerate the integration of renewable energy,” he said.

ADB said the $50 billion mobilised by 2035 will expand and modernise transmission networks and strengthen grid stability, aiming to integrate about 20 gigawatts of renewable energy across borders. “We plan to connect about 22,000 circuit-kilometre transmission lines,” Kanda added.