APEC Energy Ministers Push for Resilient Energy

The 12th Energy Ministerial Meeting (EMM12) of the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit is gearing towards attaining an “energy-resilient APEC community.”

More than 200 delegates from the 21 member-economies are in Cebu today to discuss ways of ensuring energy will be available even when calamities and disasters come.

“With the many disasters that struck the Asia-Pacific region in the past decade, APEC believes now is the right time to share experiences, learn from each other and lay plans to achieve resilient energy,” expressed Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Loreta Ayson.

Earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis devastated Asia-Pacific countries in the past. In 2013, Typhoon Yolanda (International Name: Haiyan) hit Central Philippines in 2013 killing thousands of people and damaging billions of properties and infrastructure.

To achieve energy resilience, Energy Ministers will discuss four primary points of concern. Sub-teams were created to focus on specific points.

First sub-team focuses on climate-proofing energy infrastructure.

Ayson said this involves “assessment and measures to prevent disasters from disrupting energy supply and services.”

Dr. Phyllis G. Yoshida, Energy Working Group head, shared California’s resilient microgrids used during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 as an example.

“There were microgrids that can come back up very quickly and supply those that badly need power and energy,” she said.

Second sub-team focuses on advancing cutting-edge energy efficiency technologies.

“DOE has long been advocating the efficient use of energy,” said Ayson.

She hoped that with the fast-paced development in technology, companies will continue to enhance their capacities to use energy efficiently for energy saving.

Third sub-team is set to discuss community-based clean, renewable energy to be used in poverty-stricken communities.

APEC promotes the use of clean energy to attain its goal of transforming the Asia-Pacific region into a low-carbon one.

As part of its Green Growth initiative, APEC launched the Low Carbon Model Town project which aims to provide “real-life model towns” that would serve as examples of low carbon town development planning.

Three towns are vying for the privilege to receive technical assistance from APEC in a form of a feasibility study in this project. These towns include Krasnoyarsk City, Russia; Subang Jaya, Malaysia; Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines.

Ayson said the chosen city will be assisted by APEC in conducting a feasibility study on how to determine and implement low carbon plans and programs in the said city.

The final sub-team focuses on energy trade and investment.

“This is actually the heart of APEC – improving trade and investment among APEC economies so that progress will be there,” said Ayson.

At the end of the meeting, ministers will sign a manifesto called Cebu Declaration and Instructions with plans and strategies in achieving the goal of energy resilience.

“The manifesto would also contain action plans towards the implementation of doubling renewable energy capacities by 2030 from 2010 levels and reducing energy intensity by 45% by 2035 from 2005 levels,” said Yoshida.

APEC is an economic forum in the Asia-Pacific region established in 1989 working together to create greater prosperity and balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure economic growth among member economies.

Its member economies include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States of America and Vietnam. (by Lianne Llesol)

www.cebu.gov.ph