With unprecedented growth in energy consumption over the past 30 years, Asia is seen as a critical region for increased useage of renewable energy. Since 1973, Asia’s energy consumption increased by 230%, as compared to the average worldwide increase of 75%. As a result, the region’s share of greenhouse gases increased from one-tenth of global emissions to almost 25%.[1]
According to Frost & Sullivan, biomass power and geothermal power dominate the Southeast Asian renewable energy market. In 2007, these two forms of renewable energy each account for more than 45% of the total installed capacity. Geothermal power plants are used in the Philippines and Indonesia with the Philippines having the largest Asian market for geothermal power and the second largest market in the world, next to the U.S. Following geothermal is small hydropower (6.4%). Wind energy is thought to be mostly confined to the Philippines, as other Asian countries lack adequate wind potential.[2]
A new effort, created to accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy technologies in the region, is the Asia-Pacific Partnership (APP) on Clean Development and Climate. With seven member nations, Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, Korea, and the U.S., the APP has several task forces focused on effecting change in relevant areas. One of the task forces is the Renewable Energy and Distributed Generation Task Force (REDGTF), which is chaired by Korea with Australia serving as co-chair.[3] The REDGTF has six main objectives, including the identification of country development needs and opportunities to deploy renewable energy. The APP’s REDGTF has a group goal of deploying 1.8GW of renewable energy and distributed generation capacity within four years.
For more information on the APP and their initiatives, visit their web site at: http://www.asiapacificpartnership.org/english/
