Hanoi (VNA) –The International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted that Southeast Asia couldbecome a net importer of fossil fuels in the next few years, raising the financialburden on governments and increasing carbon emissions in the region.

The IEA made the forecast in itsfreshly-released annual Southeast Asia Energy Outlook.

It said this comes despite expectations ofslower growth in the region’s energy demand as economies shift towards lessenergy-intensive manufacturing and services, and greater efficiency.

Southeast Asia was already a net oil importerwith 4 million barrels of crude oil per day in 2018, while strong growth indemand for natural gas has reduced the surplus of gas for export, according tothe agency.

For coal, output from the region’s top producer,Indonesia, remained well above 400 million tonnes of coal that is equivalentlast year, but increases in domestic demand and exports to China and Indiacould reduce its surplus.

The IEA said these trends point to SoutheastAsia becoming a net importer of fossil fuels in the next few years.

The region’s overall surplus of supply overdemand at 120 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2011 had been eroded to justabove 30 tonnes of oil equivalent in 2018, it noted, adding that the region’soverall dependence on oil imports is forecast to exceed 80 percent in 2040, upfrom 65 percent at present.

With no change in policy, Southeast Asia’senergy demand is expected to grow by 60 percent by 2040, accounting for 12percent of the rise in global energy use as its economy more than doubles. Oil demand in the region would surpass 9 millionbarrels per day by 2040, up from just above 6.5 million barrels per day now,the IEA said./.