Energy / Energy efficiency and conservation - Energy sector development and institutional reform - Renewable energy generation - solar

The SSTA proposes to support DMC participation at four identified training events, as follows:

(i) Regional Energy Efficiency Workshop (to be held in ADB Headquarters, Manila, 15-16 May 2014). This high-level workshop will aim to focus on systematized energy efficiency program support and investment that can leverage existing resources to generate broader and deeper impacts while generating momentum for further EE market development. The lessons learned to date from the implementation of energy efficiency across countries and thematic areas will be presented for all stakeholders in evaluating specific EE interventions for Asia. Participants, estimated to number about 20-25, will include representatives from government agencies in charge of energy efficiency project development, energy efficiency practitioners, managers from utilities and finance institutes.

(ii) Energy Efficiency Training Seminar: Central and West Asia Region (to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 28-30 May 2014). According to ADB's 2013 Energy Outlook, in the business-as-usual (BAU) case, Central and West Asia's primary energy demand is projected to increase from 248.5 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 2010 to 385.8 Mtoe in 2035 at an annual rate of 1.8% (Figure 8.1). Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan will account for 80.4% of primary energy demand in Central and West Asia in 2035. Central and West Asia has the potential to save about 37.6 Mtoe in 2035 or a 9.8% reduction by actively promoting energy efficiency compared with the BAU case. Many of the members in Central and West Asia are faced with challenges in electricity supply due to facility deterioration and lack of rehabilitation and maintenance, which are caused by tight financial situations. End-use sector's energy efficiency is a key solution to meeting energy and economic challenges in developing Asia, including Central West Asia. Unlike approaches that simply expand energy supply, such as building new power plants, energy efficiency prioritizes actions that first reduce the need for energy. Such reductions may occur by decreasing energy losses in the supply chain, an approach known as supply-side energy efficiency (SSEE). Another approach is to consume less energy for the same level of service, for example, when operating buildings, tools, products, and machinery. This strategy is known as demand-side energy efficiency (DSEE).

This program is organized in the context of major challenges and opportunities for the energy saving as an energy source for economic growth in Central West Asia. ADB and Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) have been supporting the region in its efforts to develop a modern, secure and sustainable energy system and this Energy Efficiency training seminar intends to build on this momentum by focusing on energy saving technologies, policies, solutions and best practices from around the world. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has been selected as a geographically neutral venue for the traning seminar, in considering to easing visa arrangement and reducing event cost. This SSTA is to finance the estimated need of 5 resource persons for the training seminar, and CWRD will finance participants (relevant government officers, public utility managers, bankers etc.) from CAREC countries and other logistics expenses.

(iii) Workshop on Regional Energy Trade (to be held at ADB Headquarters, Manila, September 2014). Regional cooperation in energy through trade helps secure energy supply of resource-poor countries and diversify markets of DMCs endowed with energy resources. This would be true for contiguous countries in Southeast Asia, Central and South Asia. The Workshop aims to gather the experience of DMCs in energy trade: what were the barriers and how these barriers were overcome. This Workshop will also impart knowledge from developed countries in regard to model power supply contracts, pricing methodologies and other agreements and institutional arrangements that can facilitate energy trade. On the technical side, the Workshop will also present the required physical infrastructure and specifications that can minimize theft and losses when energy is transmitted. An estimated 25 participants and 8 resource persons will be invited to the workshop.

(iv) Seventh Asia Solar Energy Forum (ASEF) (to be held in Seoul, Korea, 14-15 October 2014). To date, six meetings of the ASEF have been successfully conducted, comprising a well-balanced mix of public sector policy and decision-makers, industry leaders from the private sector, and stewards in project and investment financing and development, and other sectors with an interest in advancement of solar energy globally. The Energy CoP is coordinating the organization of the 7thASEF in Korea. It is proposed that the meeting will cover the global solar outlook; latest technology trends; opportunities in Asia's big markets; off-grid and island opportunities; solar market development in other regions; and private financing of solar projects. A minimum of 150 attendees are expected from DMCs, private sector and ADB staff. Travel-related costs for approximately 10 DMC participants and 5 resource persons will be funded by the TA.