In ASEAN, Hydro is not Renewable Energy?
If you are familiar with ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2010-2015 (pdf), you will notice that one of ASEAN’s Strategic Goals for Program Area No. 5. Renewable Energy is to achieve a collective target of 15% for regional renewable energy in the total power installed capacity by 2015.
Where are we now? It’s a simple but difficult to answer. Why, because among ten (10) ASEAN Member States, we have ten (10) definitions of RE and classification of hydro as renewable energy or not. Most of discussion is related to the environmental issue.
Here the recap that I can share you.
Table of RE Definition in term of Hydro in ASEAN Member Countries.
Actually, during the SOME Preparatory Meeting for the 29th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting last September in Brunei Darussalam, the Meeting discussed on tracking the implementation of the collective target of 15% of renewable energy in the region’s total installed power capacity by 2015 and agreed on the following:
- To include hydropower in the definition of RE, however the limitations on the hydropower plant capacity are subject to national regulations; and
- To propose using “actual production” instead of the “total installed capacity” in the calculation of the share of RE.
And from the 29th AMEM itself, RE definition agreed but subject to domestic regulation on limitation of hydropower capacity.
Base on this, we are we now?
So, simple but difficult, isn’t?
More simple with HAPUA, The 28th Meeting of HAPUA Council which was convened in Brunei Darussalam on 06th June 2012, agreed that any hydro power plant in what size and type is considered renewable energy in HAPUA context. From HAPUA Council Members Joint Statement, the HAPUA Council committed to continue RE development to achieve more than 15% and above towards realizing ASEAN Master plan 2015.
There will the 19th Annual Meeting of Renewable Energy Sub-Sector Network of the ASEAN Energy Cooperation, to be held on 20 June 2012, I hope now we can come up with one definition.
Related articles
- ‘Sustainable energy for all’ means Asean’s rural regions too (eco-business.com)
- Information: ASEAN Hydropower Competence Centre (HYCOM) (talkenergy.wordpress.com)
What do you think to Rio + 20 themes? According to a lot of people Rio 20 did not achieve anything except political grandstanding. No agreements, no way forward, and some key nations did not even turn up. Sure it creates a focal point for issues and gets awareness out there, and nations will proceed as they are, some championing these causes, some not. As far as I am aware a global consensus is non-existant. Can’t wait until the next one when they all sit down to talk about what needs to happen, and the next, and the next. I think the whole approach may be wrong. A and B should simply be combined to say a ‘Sustainable Global Economy’ and definitions around it should include a ‘transition’ to a renewable energy global economy and maintenence of ecosystem function at a level to sustain human survial and wellbeing. For those interested in seeking a career in sustainable development, renewable energy or environment jobs pay a visit to http://www.envirocruit.com a reliable and regularly updated source for finding green jobs across the globe from some of the leading employers around the world.
Seems as if Vietnam could use some more help in terms of energy. The efficiency and capacity of hydro is small, compared to solar though
-Sharone Tal