Germany identifies support to ASEAN sustainable energy

The government of Germany has boosted its support to the sustainable energy programs in ASEAN through newly-launched outlook which provides in-depth analysis for the member states.

Germany and ASEAN have cooperated in energy sector for more than a decade

In a latest move, the sixth ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO6), the region’s primary official source of energy information, analysis, and projections, was launched on November 19 by the ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE)’s Executive Director Dr. Nuki Agya Utama and Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The publication highlights deep and cohesive insights about the energy landscape, supply and consumption trends thanks to national, regional, and global perspectives.

It also underlines impacts on socio-economic development and the environment as well as efforts to enhance energy connectivity and market integration in the region to achieve energy security, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability for all.

“The sixth ASEAN Energy Outlook will provide us with an overview of the current energy landscape with some possible scenarios for policymakers and other stakeholders, said Dr. Nuki Agya Utama. It also contains energy perspectives by 2040 and its pathways for the region to be more resilient, to enable energy affordability and sustainability. It presents comparative scenarios versus baseline, current energy planning, more implementation on RE and EE targets, as well as the implementation of SDG7,” said Dr. Nuki Agya Utama.

On the following day, prior to the 38th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) presentation session on Charting ASEAN's Pathways Collectively - APAEC Phase 2 and AEO6, Dr. Guido Hildner, German ambassador to Vietnam said: “The access to energy, its security, and affordability and at the same time the need for clean energy are key to the sustainable economic development of the ASEAN region. Secure and sustainable energy is a German priority both in our bilateral and in our regional partnerships with ASEAN and its member states.”

Dr. Guido Hildner, German ambassador to Vietnam. Photo: Embassy of Germany in Hanoi

Decade-long support

ASEAN and Germany have been together for more than a decade to advocate sustainable energy across the ASEAN region.

Since 2015, in cooperation with all ASEAN Member States (AMS) representatives, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany has been supporting the development of the ASEAN Energy Outlooks.

Notwithstanding this year's challenge on the Covid-19 pandemic, ASEAN and Germany confirm the pivotal importance of strong cooperation and collaborative efforts, not only to meet the energy needs of its growing economy and population from now until 2040 but also to achieve its aspirational regional target as well as a global commitment under SDG 7.

“Our key regional cooperation in the energy field is ASEAN-German Energy Program, where we support ACE, the leading ASEAN institution on energy, acting as a knowledge hub, think tank and catalyst for member states as ACE's longstanding partner supporting the development of the last three editions of AEO since 2015, GIZ is delighted to launch of the AEO6 this week. We want to thank ACE and look forward to continuing the long and fruitful partnership for many more years,” said Sergey Makarov, the GIZ ASEAN-German Energy Program's Principal Advisor and ASEAN Cluster Coordinator.

The finalization and launch of AEO6 have been made possible with the support of the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). The launch is held at the joint opening ceremony of the 38th AMEM and the 2020 ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) hosted by Vietnam and organized by ACE.

It sees the participation of notable representatives from AMS Energy Ministries, ASEAN Secretariat, and International Organisations. As the first development partner of ASEAN, Germany is pleased and committed to engage in this forum and help advocate sustainable energy in the region.

In Vietnam, GIZ has supported the country in renewable energy programs for the past years.