APEC forms task force on energy resiliency

THE PHILIPPINES and the US will co-chair a task force that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Working Group will create on energy resilience.

The task force will work on: disaster-proofing energy infrastructure; advancing cutting-edge energy efficiency technologies; promoting community-based clean energy use in poverty-stricken areas; and improving energy trade and investment in APEC.

“This task force will eventually become a working group,” acting Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada, who is the chair of the APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting this year, said in a press briefing after their meeting.

The creation of the task force is contained in the Cebu Declaration and Instructions, a joint statement issued by the 21 APEC energy ministers on Tuesday.

The document contains instructions to draw up action plans that will concretize the vision of having resilient energy infrastructure.

Undersecretary Loreta G. Ayson, Philippine Senior Official on energy, said a resilient energy infrastructure is able to withstand man-made and natural disasters and immediately return to normalcy.

The instructions were issued to the Energy Working Group, Experts Groups on Energy Efficiency and Conservation, New and Renewable Energy Technology, Clean Fossil Energy, Energy Data and Analysis, and the Low Carbon Model Town Task Force.

Monsada, in her opening statement at the press briefing, said the energy ministers “agreed that climate-proofing of energy infrastructures in the APEC community is a significant endeavor towards energy resiliency.”

To achieve this, the ministers adopted the following recommendations: conduct of vulnerability assessment including regional geo-hazard maps; exploration of best practices in enhancing the quality of electric power infrastructure; undertaking research and development programs; and sharing information on energy infrastructure technology advancements and technological innovations.

To advance energy efficiency technologies, Monsada said the ministers agreed to undertake a cost-benefit analysis of available energy efficient technologies; develop minimum energy performance standards; explore the potential adoption of fuel quality and vehicle efficiency standards; and pursue the APEC goal of reducing energy intensity by 45 percent by 2035.

To promote clean energy, the ministers pushed for green buildings and an energy eco-tourism development framework.

The Cebu Declaration pushed for energy infrastructure planning and development as well as regional energy interconnectivity. /MVI