Plans for ASEAN to Move Forward to Support Renewable Energy Production
Ministry of Trade and IndustrySpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MP Cheryl Chan Wei Ling's inquiry to Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing regarding ASEAN's collective strategies to advance renewable energy production in the region. Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing explained that efforts are guided by the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2016-2025, which targets increasing renewable energy’s share in the regional supply to 23% by 2025. He highlighted projections for wind and solar capacity to reach 6 gigawatts and 10 gigawatts respectively, while detailing implementation phases focused on connectivity, energy security, and regional transition. The Minister noted plans to deepen partnerships with international organisations to support biofuel development and promote innovation for greater energy resilience between 2021 and 2025. He also outlined Singapore’s contributions, including establishing an MOU with the International Renewable Energy Agency and co-hosting training programmes and ministerial conferences with the International Energy Agency to accelerate renewables integration.
Transcript
64 Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for Trade and Industry what are the plans for ASEAN to collectively move towards and support more renewable energy production in the region.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: ASEAN energy cooperation is guided by the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation, or the APAEC. It sets out various capacity building initiatives and measures to advance regional energy cooperation. Currently in the fourth instalment, the APAEC 2016 to 2025 pursues the enhancement of energy connectivity and market integration in ASEAN to achieve energy security, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability for all ASEAN Member States. As part of this plan, ASEAN aspires to increase the proportion of renewable energy in its primary energy supply from 13.6% in 2015, to 23% by 2025.
The APAEC 2016-2025 comprises two phases. The first five-year phase comprises short to medium term goals to enhance energy security cooperation, connectivity and integration. On the renewables front, ASEAN published the first Renewable Energy Outlook for ASEAN, and organised capacity building programmes and energy policy dialogues on best practices and financing related to the deployment of renewables in the region. According to the fifth ASEAN Energy Outlook published in 2017, wind capacity in ASEAN is projected to increase from 0.6 gigawatt in 2015 to 6 gigawatts in 2025. Similarly, solar PVs are expected to increase its capacity from 1.3 gigawatt in 2015 to 10 gigawatts in 2025.
The next five-year phase of the APAEC seeks to accelerate energy transition and strengthen energy resilience through greater innovation and cooperation from 2021 to 2025. Renewable energy will continue to be a key focus. ASEAN plans to deepen cooperation with Dialogue Partners and International Organisations on renewable energy initiatives, including supporting biofuel and bioenergy development.
Singapore is also doing its part to promote renewable energy development in the region. During Singapore's Chairmanship of the ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) in 2018, the ASEAN and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish dialogues and joint activities to promote renewable energy in the region. In August this year, the Energy Market Authority co-organised a Regional Training Programme on Sustainable Energy Policies in Smart Cities with the International Energy Agency. The Programme explored policies promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy sources in smart city planning. Singapore and the International Energy Agency also co-hosted the second Global Ministerial Conference on System Integration of Renewables during the Singapore International Energy Week, to promote dialogue in the acceleration of renewables integration.