Energy security and economic growth are critical considerations for the many developing nations of the ASEAN region. Coal and clean coal technologies are central to this achievement.
The World Coal Association and the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) are partnering to educate our global community on the relevance of coal.
We are working with the ACE under the framework of ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025, where Coal and Clean Coal Technology (CCT) is one of the programme areas, with a focus on energy transition and energy resiliency. We are supporting ASEAN on their key strategy ‘To optimise the role of CCT in facilitating the transition towards sustainable and lower emission development.
Together we are working on informing key stakeholders on the importance of clean coal deployment, a sustainable regional coal market, and how through technology, innovation, and collaboration, both economic and development goals can be achieved.
Our MoU is based on three main studies
Comparative analysis of value-adjusted levelised production costs and CO2 abatement costs for Southeast Asia.
Role of the Coal-Value Chain in Delivering on the SDGs in ASEAN.
Macroeconomic and Distributional Value of Carbon Capture Use and Storage in ASEAN. These studies are based on the UNs 2030 Action Agenda on Sustainable Development and form a key element of our collaboration with the ASEAN Centre for Energy, aiming to inform policy decisions in the ASEAN region.
Coal is a vital energy source in the ASEAN region
Many countries around the world will continue to rely on coal for their abundance, reliability, and affordability. Coal will play a vital role as part of a sustainable future, particularly for countries across the ASEAN region. According to the 6th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO6) that was published by ACE, in 2040, coal will provide 39% of electricity in Southeast Asia. Given the substantial role for coal well into the future, it is imperative that the most efficient technologies are used, such as High-Efficiency Low Emissions (HELE), biomass-coal co-combustion, coal upgrading, and carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS).
Our partnership with the ASEAN Centre for Energy is about advocating and promoting the opportunities for coal, clean coal technologies and future innovation.
Collaboration is key to the success of clean coal technologies
Many ASEAN member states are demonstrating their clear commitment to deploying efficiency solutions including HELE and coal upgrading technologies which can materially reduce emissions while ensuring affordable energy for economic development and address energy poverty. Moving forward, we are also expecting to see the use of biomass-coal co-combustion and CCUS many more countries are interested to develop these technologies.
We recognise the need for a pragmatic, solution-focused, and balanced approach to giving us the best opportunity to achieve global economic and environmental goals.
With the ASEAN Centre for Energy, we seek to work with governments, academes, investors, and key industry players to uphold global expectations and ensure that all policies are inclusive of all fuels and all technologies.
