Indonesia
How The ASEAN Centre For Energy Is Supporting Power Sustainability In The Region
ACE is an independent, intergovernmental organization formed in 1999 to help accelerate the integration of energy strategies across ASEAN’s 10-member nations. The center provides research, expertise, and recommendations on a range of regional and national energy policy matters, and how they could impact economic growth and sustainability goals.
Badariah’s areas of expertise include environmental engineering, renewable energy, and sustainable development, and in this article, she shares some of her insights and views on ASEAN’s energy sustainability and integration advances, and areas to do better.
Energy Sustainability is a Top Priority
“Sustainability gained momentum when it became officially incorporated into the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2016-2025.
“APAEC guides the implementation of multilateral energy cooperation to enhance regional integration, and achieve connectivity goals in ASEAN. It also aims to enhance energy security, accessibility, affordability and sustainability under the framework of the AEC. In that blueprint, we highlighted our outcome-based strategies on sustainability through the aspirational target of 23% renewable energy share of primary energy mix by 2025, and 30% energy intensity reduction in 2025 based on 2005 levels.”
Seven Energy Integration Goals
“ASEAN has long realized the need to work together to build a more sustainable region, with over 50 years of energy collaboration across member states.
“Under APAEC we’re working together to deliver seven key goals to drive sustainability: power grid integration; integrated gas connections; deployment of clean coal technology; promotion of energy efficiency; deployment of renewable energy; regional energy planning; and exploring new ways to incorporate nuclear energy.”
Sharing Knowledge and Technologies to Raise Awareness and Understanding
“ASEAN is a unique community. As it is made up of 10-member states at various stages of economic development, it’s natural that varying perspectives will emerge. Managing the different perspectives of ASEAN members will be crucial on the journey towards sustainability.
“Low involvement and collaboration between ministries, utilities, industry, academia, stakeholders and wider society raises a potential hurdle that could hinder progress. Helping close the gap between member states through knowledge and technology transfer is one way we can work to address this.”
ACE’s Key Role
“ACE plays a key role in facilitating knowledge sharing and technology transfer. For example, ACE can help promote the development of renewable energy by showcasing technology, and insights, developed and utilized in one country, to other member states with renewable energy ambitions. This creates a spirit of collaboration, as well as help harmonize growth in the region.
“ACE can support this in a number of ways – we can provide energy studies, and data to member states. We can also work closely with policymakers to provide latest information, and technology options to help their decision making. All these initiatives provide a positive environment for growing partnerships.”