ASEAN’s energy equation: The role of low emission coal in driving a sustainable energy future

The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and World Coal Association (WCA) say that coal will play an increasingly prominent role in ASEAN’s regional energy mix over the coming decades. With ASEAN’s rapidly increasing energy demands, the ASEAN energy sector now faces a dual challenge of how to sustainably fuel their growing energy needs.

Coal and Clean Coal Technology (CCT), a program area in the ASEAN plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2016-2025, has been identified to be a key strategic priority. Low emission coal could solve ASEAN’s energy challenges of security, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

Since 2010, there has been a positive transition in regional economies towards coal-fuelled power generation as ASEAN member states (AMS) are trying to reduce their dependence on one source of energy. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts coal to overtake gas as the primary fuel supplying electricity by 2020 and to be responsible for 50 percent of electricity generation by 2040 (from 32 percent today). This preference for coal is forecasted to continue as it is a stable and low-cost baseload power source, and the most economic source of long-term baseload generation.

By: ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and World Coal Association (WCA)