APEC Urged to Facilitate Trade, Investments in Resilient Energy Infrastructure

Lapu-Lapu City (PNA) — Member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) are urged to facilitate trade and investments in resilient energy infrastructure that can withstand disasters.

In a press briefing for the 12th APEC Energy Ministers’ Meeting (EMM) here, Department of Energy Undersecretary Loreta Ayson said that aside from power demand, there is now a strong need to invest in resilient energy infrastructure as the region is faced with the challenges of climate change.

“As we have emphasized before, APEC economies should learn from past experiences and shift to sustainable development to focus on energy resiliency which to us would mean mitigating climate change and also looking at the adaptation part of it,” she said.

She added that the energy infrastructure and systems of APEC economies should be able to withstand extreme natural and man-made disasters as well as be able to recover faster and efficiently.

She cited that underground power lines are resilient energy infrastructure but the system will also demand for ‘extensive technology’ and investments.

To encourage investments in resilient energy infrastructure, Ayson mentioned that APEC ministers will discuss possible actions and strategies that will facilitate trade of energy technologies in the region to keep competitive prices of these technologies as well as attracting energy investments among member economies.

This was also affirmed by DOE Director Jesus Tamang, who said that harmonization of standards of energy equipment and technologies as well as the required skills of energy-related professionals will play crucial roles in facilitating trade and investments in APEC’s energy sector.

“What’s being recognized (in a particular economy) shall be equally recognized in other (APEC) economies,” he noted. (PNA) SCS/KMC