Topic: Coal regions

The-proportion-of-coal-fired-electricity-in-Viet-Nam-and-many-other-countries-in-Southeast-Asia-is-still-high,-so-what-are-the-financial-sources-to-be-mobilized-to-implement-the-energy-transition-in-each-country-and-the-whole-region? What-are-the-opportunities-for-regional-collaboration-in-achieving-a-sustainable-and-equitable-energy-future? This-topic-is-of-deep-concerns-at-the-“Regional-Energy-Transition-Dialogue-2023:-Ensuring-a-Just-and-Equitable-Energy-Transition”-held-in-July-in-Manila,-the-Philippines. At-this-event,-representatives-of-government-agencies-from-Viet-Nam,-Thailand,-the-Philippines-and-Indonesia-came-together-and-explored-innovative-strategies-to-foster-a-greener-and-more-resilient-energy-landscape. “Southeast-Asian-countries-are-facing-the-challenge-of-securing-financial-resources;-building-regulatory-frameworks-to-promote-investment-in-renewable-energy-and-expansion-of-solar-and-wind-power-plants;-increase-the-use-of-gas-and-renewable-energy-sources,-reduce-the-use-of-coal-power-plants-on-a-large-scale.-We-need-strategies-to-strengthen-energy-security-and-improve-national-electricity-connection-to-achieve-the-goals-above”,-Do-Viet-Phuong,-from-the-Electricity-Regulatory-Authority-of-Viet-Nam-(ERAV),-under-the-Ministry-of-Industry-and-Trade-commented-on-the-challenges-confronting-the-energy-industry-of-Viet-Nam-and-other-countries-in-Southeast-Asia. Sharing-the-same-views,-Nguyen-Hoang-Nam,-from-the-International-Relations-Department-at-the-Institute-of-Energy-highlighted-that-Southest-Asian-countries-all-face-difficulties-in-mobilizing-funds,-preparing-human-resources,-mechanisms,-policies,-and-accessibility-to-technology,-taking-into-account-the-socio-economic-impacts-on-energy-security-and-technology-in-order-to-ensure-a-“just”-throughout-the-implementation-process. The-discussion-sessions-opened-up-solutions-to-the-problems-faced-by-the-representatives-of-the-Vietnamese-side.-Do-Viet-Phuong,-from-the-Electricity-Regulatory-Authority-of-Viet-Nam-(ERAV),-under-the-Ministry-of-Industry-and-Trade-shared:-“The-Indonesian-delegates-elaborated-on-their-strategies-such-as:-Encouraging-the-development-of-renewable-energy-through-social-support;-Developing-renewable-energy-in-priority-areas-based-on-available-potential,-technology,-finance-and-social-performance.-To-implement-renewable-energy-development-strategies,-tax-incentives,-loan-support-for-importing-renewable-energy-technology,-human-resource-development,-information-provision,-product-standardization,-research-and-development-and-institutional-capacity-building-are-very-important.”-To-this-end,-it-is-important-to-identify-the-role-of-ministries-and-agencies-in-the-implementation-of-policies-and-action-programmes,-Phuong-said. In-the-Philippines,-the-challenges-confronting-the-energy-transition-process-is-an-under-optimized-green-financial-ecosystem.-The-Philippines-has-recently-taken-important-steps-to-develop-a-green-financial-system-in-the-country.-To-further-support-the-energy-sector,-the-Department-of-Energy-(DOE)-of-the-Philippines-has-set-objectives-for-the-Energy-Plan-such-as:-Increasing-domestic-energy-production;-Setting-additional-capacity;-Promoting-investment;-Promoting-consumer-welfare,-strengthening-domestic-and-international-partnerships. As-for-Thailand,-the-country-is-undergoing-a-transition-from-fossil-fuels-to-renewable-energy.-However,-the-speed,-depth-and-shape-of-the-transition-remain-uncertain.-It-is-partly-because-Thailand-must-harmonize-energy-security-and-economic-development,-with-climate-change-and-environmental-degradation.-At-the-discussion-session,-the-representative-of-Thailand-shared-a-number-of-measures-to-support-the-economy,-such-as-increasing-the-tax-deduction-limit,-deferring-tax,-lowering-electricity-and-water-prices,-and-reducing-contribution-to-the-social-security-fund-for-employers-and-employees. Following-the-dialogues-and-discussion-about-challenges-and-opportunities-of-countries-in-the-region,-the-conference-came-up-with-common-solutions-such-as:-Strengthening-energy-connection-and-market-access-within-ASEAN-to-ensure-energy-security,-increased-access-to-electricity,-affordability-and-sustainability-for-all;-Accelerating-the-energy-transition-and-strengthening-energy-resilience-through-greater-cooperation-and-innovation;-Cooperation-between-countries,-strong-support-between-governments,-political-will-and-institutional-facilitation-from-each-country-are-the-key-factors;-Implementing-cost-reforms-to-reduce-electricity-costs;-Enhancing-energy-supply-by-coordinating-investments-in-production,-transmission-and-distribution;-Providing-a-favorable-regulatory-environment-for-promoting-investment-in-clean-energy. The-Regional-Energy-Transition-Dialogue-2023-served-as-a-testament-to-Southeast-Asia’s-commitment-to-sustainable-and-secure-energy-solutions.-As-the-region-continues-to-face-environmental-challenges-and-energy-demands,-the-event-emphasized-the-importance-of-cooperation,-innovation,-and-policy-reforms.-By-fostering-collaboration-between-governments,-businesses,-and-stakeholders,-Southeast-Asia-can-accelerate-its-transition-towards-a-greener-and-more-resilient-energy-future,-contributing-significantly-to-global-efforts-in-mitigating-climate-change.-The-RETD-2023-provided-a-stepping-stone-for-long-term-partnerships-and-initiatives-that-will-shape-the-energy-landscape-of-Southeast-Asia-in-the-years-to-come. Project-information:  The-Regional-Energy-Transition-Dialogue-2023-was-hosted-by-the-Philippines-Department-of-Energy-(DOE)-and-the-Project-“Clean,-Affordable-and-Secure-Energy-for-Southeast-Asia”-(CASE)-in-pursuit-of-cross-country-exchanges-to-promote-energy-transition-in-SEA.     The-Clean,-Affordable-and-Secure-Energy-for-Southeast-Asia-(CASE)-project,-funded-by-the-German-Federal-Ministry-for-Economic-Affairs-and-Climate-Actions-(BMWK),-aims-to-support-Southeast-Asian-partner-countries-in-the-transition-to-a-future-energy-system-that-provides-reliable-and-affordable-energy-to-the-people-while-increasing-political-ambition-to-comply-with-the-Paris-Agreement.-Through-a-comprehensive-approach,-including-public,-private-and-research-organizations,-CASE-contributes-to-shifting-the-narrative-of-the-energy-sector-in-Thailand,-Indonesia,-the-Philippines-and-Viet-Nam-towards-an-evidence-based-energy-transition.