Vientiane--24 September 2014: Energy Ministers from members of East Asia Summit (EAS) welcome ERIA studies in Energy Efficiency and Conservation, benchmarking of renewable mobility energy, best mix of renewable energy, EAS energy outlook, energy market integration, sustainable natural gas market, oil stockpiling, and nuclear safety management.

The importance of the policy implications of these ERIA studies is highlighted. One of the recommendations that clean coal is pivotal for the future energy use was widely discussed. In addition, the report calls for supportive policies for technology diffusion, capacity building, financing mechanism and harmonization in emission standards in promotion the use of clean coal.

The Ministers noted the progress on the study on sustainable natural gas market and affirmed the importance of having competitive natural gas prices and the further promotion of a flexible, transparent and sustainable natural gas market. The Ministers also noted the good progress made on the EAS study on nuclear safety management, and looked forward to further progress in pursuing regional nuclear safety and forging greater collaboration in capacity building in civilian nuclear energy.

H.E. Soulivong Daravong, Minister of Planning and Investment, Lao PDR said at the Press Conference that the ASEAN Power Grid is part of component of ASEAN Community. Efforts are ongoing with Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore to purchase hydroelectricity from Lao PDR. At the moment, Thailand is the largest importer of Lao energy. The ERIA research in this area provides timely corroboration.

The Ministers also welcomed the establishment of the Energy Research Institute Network (ERIN) and acknowledged the collaboration between ERIN and ERIA which was formalised through an MOU signing on 6 September 2014 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.

Before the EAS Energy Ministers Meeting on 23rd Sept in Vientiane, ERIA launched two books: Energy Outlook and Energy Saving Potential in East Asia; Investing in Power Grid Interconnection in East Asia. Dr. Daovong Phonekeo, SOE Leader of Lao PDR expressed appreciation of both the report EAS energy outlook and the report on investing in power grid interconnection, prepared by ERIA. The two reports, together with three other ERIA energy studies, were also presented to ministers and senior officials from the EAS members at the AMEM and the EAS EMM.

East Asia Summit comprises the ten-member ASEAN, Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand, The United State of America and Russia also attend.

The ERIA energy team is headed by Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director, and Mr. Shigeru Kimura, Special Advisor to the Executive Director, Dr. Venkatachalam Anbumozhi, Senior Energy Economist, Dr. Han Phoumin, Energy Economist and Dr. Yanfei Li, Energy Economist. The book launch was organized by Mr. Shimpei Yamamoto, Managing Director for Research Affairs, Mr. Kavi Chongkittavorn, Senior Communication Advisor and Ms. Jennifer Liguton, Chief Editor and Publication Director.

JOINT MINISTERIAL STATEMENT OF THE EIGHTH EAST ASIA SUMMIT ENERGY MINISTERS MEETING

3. The Ministers noted that the total energy demand of the EAS participating countries would account for approximately 65% of the global energy demand by 2035. The Ministers reaffirmed the need to step up cooperation on energy efficiency in EAS region and welcomed the progress made on the implementation of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) Work Stream including:

(a) Development of Energy Efficiency Goals and Action Plans;

(b) EAS Energy Efficiency Cooperation Programme;

(c) EAS Energy Saving Potential and EAS Energy Outlook;

(d) Energy Efficiency Conference and Roadmap; and

(e) Study on promoting Smart Energy Management. The Ministers endorsed the EAS Work Plan of the EE&C Work Stream for 2014 -2015.

5. The Ministers noted the progress made in implementing the Biofuels for Transport and Other Purposes Work Stream and endorsed its Work Plan for 2014-2015 which includes Biofuels Database Project in East Asia Countries; Asia Biomass and Renewable Energy Researchers Invitation Program; and Benchmarking of Renewable Mobility Energy in EAS Countries.

6. The Ministers noted the progress made in implementing the Renewable and Alternative Power Generation Work Stream including the successful convening of Renewable and Alternative Energy Financing Workshop in April 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, and the Wind and Grid Integration Roundtable in June 2014 in Colorado, the United States. The Ministers also noted the Sustainable Hydropower Development in EAS Nations Project which will include a joint research project between the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Brunei National Energy Research Institute in 2015 and, the Best Mix of Renewable and Conventional Energy Sources and the Sustainable Assessment of Utilising Conventional and New Type of Geothermal Resources conducted in collaboration with National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)-Japan.

7. The Ministers affirmed the importance of sharing medium-to-long-term outlooks for energy supply and demand across the EAS region taking into consideration the region's growing energy demand, the probable implications of natural disasters and extreme weather on energy infrastructure, and the importance of maintaining and developing such infrastructure. The Ministers welcomed the Special Report on "World Energy Investment Outlook," published in conjunction with the IEA's 2014 edition of the World Energy Outlook, and ERIA's studies on East Asia Energy Outlook and Energy Market Integration in East Asia Region.

8. The Ministers recognised the economic benefits stemming from optimising electric power infrastructure through regional grid interconnection and called for cooperation to promote such interconnection among EAS participating countries. The Ministers noted the progress on the study on sustainable natural gas market and affirmed the importance of having competitive natural gas prices and the further promotion of a flexible, transparent and sustainable natural gas market. The Ministers also noted the commencement of a new study for promoting oil stockpiling in the region and the reinforcement of emergency response measures of EAS participating countries.

9. The Ministers noted the good progress made on the EAS study on nuclear safety management, and moved to support the safe and efficient development of nuclear power among interested countries. The Ministers recognised the importance of nuclear power as a clean, high-quality and advanced modern energy which will functions as a base load power source in guaranteeing global energy security and sustainability and, in developing diversified energy strategies, meeting energy demand and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Ministers looked forward to further progress in pursuing regional nuclear safety and forging greater collaboration in capacity building in civilian nuclear energy.

11. The Ministers welcomed various research studies conducted with the technical assistance from ERIA, including the workshop held in June 2014 in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The Ministers requested ERIA to report the outcomes of the research activities to relevant ASEAN and EAS energy cooperation fora. The Ministers also welcomed the establishment of the Energy Research Institute Network (ERIN) and acknowledged the collaboration between ERIN and ERIA which was formalised through an MOU signing on 6 September 2014 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.

To download the Press Release, please click on the following PDF file:

8TH EAST ASIA SUMMIT ENERGY MINISTERS MEETING

To download the JOINT MINISTERIAL STATEMENT OF THE EIGHTH EAST ASIA SUMMIT ENERGY MINISTERS MEETING, please click on the following PDF file:

Joint Ministerial Statement of 8th EAS Energy Ministers Meeting