Asia-Pacific Region Seeks Collaboration on Sustainable Energy Efforts

Strategic Insights -

The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing significant changes in electricity consumption patterns, prompting cooperation on demand response, energy efficiency, and distributed energy technologies. Li Zhu, president of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Sustainable Energy Center (APSEC), emphasized the importance of optimizing resource allocation, promoting green consumption, and replacing fossil fuels with clean electricity. The 15th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting, hosted by South Korea, aimed to accelerate sustainable and reliable energy for a prosperous future, highlighting the need for cooperation on energy storage, infrastructure upgrades, and the development of emerging energy technologies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing new patterns of electricity consumption, requiring collaboration on demand response, energy efficiency improvements, and distributed energy technologies.
  • Traditional fossil fuels still dominate the energy mix, accounting for 62.4% of electricity generation in 2023, despite a significant increase in the proportion of renewables.
  • Energy storage cooperation is proposed to enhance system-level capabilities in power supply security and renewable energy absorption, particularly in regions with rapid renewable energy development.
  • The "Source-Grid-Load-Storage" integrated new-type power system is rapidly developing, requiring the application of innovative technologies such as hydrogen energy and artificial intelligence (AI).
  • Research and development (R and D) cooperation in emerging energy technologies like hydrogen and smart energy is encouraged to accelerate technology development and large-scale application.
  • Li Zhu emphasized the importance of joint research, experience sharing, and cooperation to reduce research and application costs and achieve technological inclusiveness.

Statistics:

  • In 2023, fossil fuels still accounted for 62.4% of electricity generation in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • The proportion of renewables in electricity generation is increasing, but still lags behind fossil fuels.
  • The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Sustainable Energy Center (APSEC) promotes sustainable energy in the region through the APEC EMM and supporter of the APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting.
  • The "Source-Grid-Load-Storage" integrated new-type power system is in a rapid development stage, with the potential to enhance system-level capabilities in power supply security and renewable energy absorption.

Sources:

  • BERNAMA News Agency, "Asia-Pacific Seeks Collaboration on Sustainable Energy Efforts", 28 Aug 2025.
  • Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Sustainable Energy Center (APSEC) presentation by Li Zhu at the 15th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting.