PH Turns ASEAN Knowledge Hub for Energy

ONE ASEAN IN MANILA: Senior Officials on Energy of the ASEAN discussed today (25 September) the progress of implementing the Work Programmes under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) ‎2016-2025 during the Senior Officials Meeting on Energy Preparatory Meeting signaling the kick-off of the 35th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM35). Standing together for the solidarity pose are the ASEAN Senior Officials and ASEAN sub-network group representatives: (L-R) Permanent Secretary Dr. Daovong Phonekeo (Lao PDR); Deputy Secretary General Malek, Badriyah, Ab (Malaysia); Managing Director Oo, Myo, Myint (Myanmar); DOE Director Patrick T. Aquino (Philippines); Deputy Permanent Secretary of Energy Srichuai, Thammayot (Thailand); Deputy Director Nguyen Phuong Mai (Viet Nam); DOE Undersecretary Jesus Cristino Posadas (Chair); Director Goh, Jonathan, Kok Chye (Singapore/Vice-Chair); Special Duties Officer Abdul Hakeem Haji Basir (Brunei Darussalam); Director General Victor Jona (Cambodia); Director Alihuddin Sitompul (Indonesia); Megasari Widyaty (ASEAN Secretariat); Executive Director Sanjayan Velautham (ACE); Secretary-in-Charge Ibrahim, Syaiful, Bakhri (HAPUA); and Chuchinda, Nopporn (ASCOPE).

The Philippines turns into the ASEAN knowledge hub for energy this week as the Department of Energy (DOE) plays host to several energy meetings and an exhibition on power and electricity.

The 35th ASEAN Ministers of Energy Meeting (AMEM35) & Associated Meetings will be held at the Conrad Hotel Manila from Sept. 25 to 29 under the theme, “One ASEAN Community Through Resilient and Sustainable Energy”. The event is in line with ASEAN's goal of boosting the region’s gross domestic product from an average of 4 percent to more than 6 percent.

AMEM35 consists of three meetings, namely the ASEAN Ministers of Energy Meetings, the Senior Officials Meeting on Energy, and the ASEAN Center for Energy for technical support consultations and dialogue. The topics of the meetings are the ASEAN Power Grid, Trans ASEAN Gas Pipeline, Coal and Clean Coal Technology, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Renewable Energy, Regional Energy and Planning, and Civilian Nuclear Energy.

Coinciding with the AMEM35 meetings are the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) and the Powertrends International Exhibition on Sept. 27-29 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila.

The AEBF, which is co-organized by the ASEAN Centre for Energy and Leverage International (Consultants) Inc., is a government-private sector forum for gathering inputs that are useful for policy-making.

Day 1 of the AEBF will focus on Global Developments that impact on Energy and Electricity; Regional Connectivity; and Renewable Energy: Technological Advances, Sharing of Experiences and Initiatives for RE Advancement.

For Day 2, the forum will be on Coal’s Contribution to Regional Security, Civilian Nuclear Energy in ASEAN, Energy Resiliency in the Era of Digital Technology, and NatGas/LNG.

Day 3 will be on business opportunities in ASEAN.

Meanwhile, the 12th Powertrends International Exhibition incorporates Energy Expo 2017 and Electech/Lightech 2017. The exhibition covers the whole range of products for energy, power and electricity.

Free technical sessions for trade visitors are scheduled every 30 minutes during the three-day exhibition. These will include Economics on Water Pumping Application, SUVPR Hybrid Solar Power System by BIT Computer (Brunei Darussalam), Drones for Energy by AERO 360, Mobil Lubrication Solutions for Energy Sector by MOBIL, Opportunities and Challenges in ASEAN Energy by S&P Global Platts, d.light PAYGO: An Innovative Solution to Rural Power Access by Power 4 All, New Energy Storage by Lim Solar, Solevolt: Viable Alternative to Conventional Generator Sets by Power 4 All, and New Hydrogen Generation by Lim Solar.

The Netherlands booth will feature renewable energy technologies. A Bavarian pavilion will feature solar and other clean energy solutions. Other exhibitors will come from Europe, United States, China and the Philippines.

DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi will preside over the official joint opening of the AMEM35, the AEBF and the Powertrends Exhibition. The conference proper will be opened by Dr. Sanjayan Velautham, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy.