"New Role of Coal Fired Power Plant in the Era of Energy Transition": ASEAN Energy Center (ACE) and JCOAL made a policy brief

November 18, 2020-ACE (ASEAN Centre for Energy) and JCOAL have been discussing to prepare a "Joint Strategic Report on the New Role of Coal-Fired Power in the Energy Transition" as one of the major outcomes of the ongoing 4th MoU. The final draft of this report is scheduled to be submitted around June 2021, for which no doubt detailed deliberation and discussions will be required. In view of the urgency of the energy transition issues in ASEAN, ACE and JCOAL decided to publish the preliminary outline of the report as a policy brief.

On the occasion of the 38th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMEM) and the associated meetings including ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2020, the proposal was published by ACE and shared with relevant stakeholders.

The Policy Brief confirms ASEAN's long-term policy fundamentals that defines coal remaining as an important fuel while promoting the introduction of renewable energy. The region still needs coal, the affordable and reliable, as one of the power sources to support their growth, they are clear on their policy to continue coal utilization especially for power generation in the cleanest possible manner. In this context, it would be a rational option for those member states with coal fired power plants to use them for flexibilisation to address the surging requirements from the grid in connection with the massive introduction of renewables.  In the meantime, efforts for minimizing environmental impacts and mitigating CO2 emissions are no doubt imperative.

The Policy Brief is available from the list of publications on the official website of ACE.

In the meantime, Mr. Osamu Tsukamoto, President of JCOAL participated in a panel session of AEBF on Grid Connectivity-Renewables Integration and Opportunities for Power Optimisation and Affordability engaging in an intensive discussion with economists, renewable energy personnel, and analysts in the panel.

During the panel, Mr. Tsukamoto highlighted that the energy policy and target power source composition of ASEAN or each ASEAN country are based on their respective economic and social circumstances, which are to be handled with respect in any term.He also made another important point by sharing his view that coal fired power plants in many of AMS, apart from playing a unique part in emissions reduction through cofiring with biomass for power generation, would have an additional role to support grid stability through flexible operations in combination with other existing power plants. He emphasized the importance of flexibilisation together with the development of relevant policies and policy instruments.

 Further, he advocated for the cruciality of forging a platform for both fossil fuel experts and players and renewable specialists and players throughout the value chains. That way we will be able to realize energy transition and the long-term target of zero emissions.

 Finally, we are pleased to inform you that the 38th AMEM, APAEC (ASEAN Regional Energy Cooperation Long-Term Plan) 2016-2025 Phase II and the 6th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO6) were announced.