Even eight years after the Asian financial crisis, its repercussions linger on for energy investors. As Asian companies become a major force in both ensuring the region’s energy security and investing in all parts of the energy industry worldwide, foreign investors remain cautious about commitments to Asia, especiallyin the electricity sector.

According to Robert Bestani, directorgeneral of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB’s) private-sector finance department, Asia needs some US$250–