Asean utilities vow to go ‘green’

POWER UTILITIES in the Asean have vowed to shift to green energy to minimize carbon emissions, in light of the worsening threat of global warming.

In a joint statement, the 26th Heads of Asean Power Utilities/Authorities (Hapua) Council said the “Asean community acknowledged the adverse impact of climate change and global warming, which raised the need for Asean member-countries… to promote a more determined cooperation in green energy investment, especially in renewable energy and new energy sources.”

The Hapua Council stressed its strong support for the Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2010–2015, particularly the provision that called for the accelerated development of renewable energy.

Unlike conventional fuels, renewable energy sources like wind, hydro, ocean, solar and biomass do not produce greenhouse gases which contribute largely to climate change.

The shift to clean and green energy technology and the need to pursue energy policies and strategies are seen to strike a balance between energy security, economic and social development and environmental protection in the region.

In a meeting held recently, Hapua Council members also called for greater cooperation on clean coal technology and the development of nuclear power as an energy option to meet future electricity demand in the Asean.

It further recommended guidelines to speed up the implementation of the so-called Asean Power Grid, an interconnection project that will “optimize the use of indigenous energy sources, enhance energy security in the region, and result in substantial savings in terms of fuel costs and generation investments.”

Among the other issues discussed were strategies aimed at improving the reliability of the grid’s operation, safety standards and procedures in generation and transmission, and investments on interconnection projects.

“The guidelines for the model framework for the cross-border sale and transmission of electricity, and on the effective enforcement of bilateral interconnection agreements between the contracting Member-States were also recommended,” the council said.

The Philippines, led by National Power Corp. president Froilan A. Tampinco, attended the Hapua Council meeting held in Thailand. Also in attendance were representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. –Amy R. Remo, Philippine Daily Inquirer