Hanoi (VNA) – The second phase of the ASEAN Planof Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) for the 2021-2025 period was adoptedduring the 38th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AEM 38) on November 20.

The theme of the Phase II is “Enhancing energy connectivityand, market integration in ASEAN to achieve energy security, accessibility,affordability and sustainability for all” with a new sub-theme of “Acceleratingenergy transition and strengthening energy resilience through greaterinnovation and cooperation.”

The APAEC Phase II was developed by the APAEC DraftingCommittee (ADC) which is chaired by Singapore and co-chaired by Vietnam withstrong support from the ASEAN member states, specialised energy bodies,sub-sector networks, the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Centre for Energy.

The development of APAEC Phase II considered the globalenergy trends such as the energy transition, global economic growth, impacts ofCOVID-19, the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals No. 7 (SDG7) andthe 4th Industrial Revolution.

The APAEC Phase II will continue to advance ASEAN energycooperation through seven programme areas - ASEAN power grid, trans-ASEAN gaspipeline, coal and clean coal technology, energy efficiency and conservation,renewable energy, regional energy policy and planning and civilian nuclearenergy.

Greater efforts will be taken to promote various technologiessuch as hydrogen, battery and energy storage, carbon capture utilisation andstorage, solar PV, bioenergy, waste to energy, smart energy system andelectrified vehicles.

The ASEAN member states will continue to promote multilateralelectricity trading, development of a common gas market, clean coal technologyand digitalisation in the energy sector.

They committed to make greater efforts to complete the bloc’starget of securing 23 percent of its primary from renewable sources by 2025.

The delegates also looked at the sixth ASEAN Energy Outlook(AEO6), the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP)./.