The Asian Development Bank announced a $70 billion [1] programme on Sunday to expand energy and digital infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region.

This investment targets the fundamental gaps in connectivity and power stability that hinder economic growth. By integrating regional power grids and increasing broadband access, the bank aims to facilitate cross-border trade and support the rise of artificial intelligence-driven industries.

The announcement took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The comprehensive plan focuses on two primary pillars: energy resilience and digital connectivity. The energy component is designed to strengthen cross-border electricity trade and improve the resilience of existing grids [2].

Simultaneously, the bank will work to close the digital infrastructure gap. This includes expanding broadband access to underserved areas to ensure that the region can support modern technological demands [2]. These initiatives are intended to create a more cohesive economic network across the Asia-Pacific.

According to the bank, the target for the completion of these initiatives is 2035 [1]. The programme seeks to modernize how electricity is shared between nations, reducing reliance on isolated national grids and moving toward a more integrated regional system.

The ADB said the plan will support AI-driven economic growth [2]. By providing the necessary electricity and data infrastructure, the region can better compete in the global digital economy while stabilizing energy costs through shared resources.

“The Asian Development Bank announced a $70 billion programme to expand energy and digital infrastructure.”

This initiative represents a strategic shift toward regional interdependence in the Asia-Pacific. By linking power grids and digital networks, the ADB is attempting to reduce systemic vulnerabilities and create a standardized infrastructure layer that can support high-compute technologies like AI, which require both massive energy loads and high-speed connectivity.