The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the World Coal Association (WCA) have today signed a 3 year MOU under the new leadership of both organisations, in recognition of the strategic importance of the ASEAN region.

The signing builds on previous collaboration between the ACE and the WCA, demonstrating both parties’ ongoing commitment to advocating for economic growth and the enabling role of clean coal technologies in providing access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy for developing countries across the ASEAN region.

ACE is an intergovernmental organisation which represents the 10 ASEAN member states’ interests in the sustainable energy sector; the WCA represents responsible global industry players who are committed to shaping a sustainable future for coal.

Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director, ACE, stated:

“On behalf of ACE, I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to the WCA. We are privileged to take part in the signing of a three-year MoU with WCA.

Last year, during the 37th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM), the ministers acknowledged the outlook of rising power generation from coal in the region and highlighted the efforts of ASEAN in promoting clean coal technologies (CCT). Ministers also encouraged to further accelerate the deployment of CCT in the ASEAN region.

Coal is one of the important resources in the ASEAN, especially for baseload power generation, and there is a need for ASEAN to secure the financial support and promote policies to accelerate the deployment of CCT in the region.

Michelle Manook, Chief Executive, WCA, stated:

“On behalf of the WCA and our membership, we are privileged to sign a three-year MoU with ACE. It is critical that the global community is educated by leading organisations such as ACE, who are in the regions which are impacted the most by the lack of access to energy and the advantages that affordable, abundant and reliable energy delivers.

Coal is a critical enabler in emerging economies for economic growth, particularly those across the ASEAN region, and many in our global community do not seek to understand this.

Collaborating with Dr Nuki and his team will assist us in promoting the opportunities and challenges for emerging economies to build a sustainable future with clean coal technologies.

Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director, ACE, continued:

“Under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), coal and clean coal technology is one of the programme areas, which aims to address the growing energy demand and promote environmental sustainability. ASEAN is currently developing APAEC 2016-2025 Phase II:2021-2025, where CCT is expected to play a major role to advance the region’s energy transition, resiliency, and sustainability.

We look forward to collaborating with WCA to optimise the role of CCT in facilitating the transition towards sustainable and low carbon energy future in the region.”

Michelle Manook, Chief Executive, WCA, continued:

“The ASEAN has the right to affordable sources of energy and to build their societies through the crucial role coal plays in steel and cement production.

This is no longer about coal; this is about the right for emerging economies to choose any clean technology – coal, wind, solar, gas – which they believe will deliver an affordable, stable, reliable outcome and secure supply.

It’s time for our industries, governments, and investors to collaborate – not regulate – on the advancement of the clean energy transition and to do this agnostically.

We look forward to working with ACE and the ASEAN governments to advocate for the policies which are inclusive of all fuels and all technologies.”