MANILA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) aims for the total electrification of nations in the region or “universal energy access” by 2030 if not sooner, Yongping Zhai, ADB technical advisor for Energy said at the Bank’s recently-concluded 51st annual meeting held at its headquarters in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
According to ADB, the energy demand may double in Asia and the Pacific by 2030. Thus, there is a need to find innovative ways to generate power in an economically, environmentally and sustainable manner.
ADB estimates USD14.7 trillion worth of investments will be required for the energy infrastructure to meet region’s needs. The amount includes expansion of energy services to unserved areas, as well as to address the needs of the 12 percent of Asia’s population still without access to energy.
“We encourage (the use of) renewable energy,” Zhai added.
For Zhai, achieving 100 percent renewable electricity may be feasible in many developing countries. He also sees an accelerated deployment of solar and wind power, electric vehicles and smart grid technology.
In 2017, the ADB has launched the New Energy Leaders Program, which gathered energy entrepreneurs and innovators across Asia.
“We have highlighted seven new energy leaders (under this program). These are the people who can look into the future,” remarked David Elzinga, ADB senior Energy specialist, during the meeting.
Elzinga said the ADB was looking for new and innovative approaches that it can use in the future when it launched the Energy Leaders Program.
“The program also aimed to raise awareness on the practical challenges the energy sector is facing, and to help key stakeholders understand better how they can help support clean energy entrepreneurship and innovation in Asia,” he added.
Meanwhile, Elzinga said the Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) will happen next month at the ADB headquarters.
With the theme, “Harnessing Innovation to Power the Future”, the ACEF will serve as the region’s avenue to gather practitioners, innovators and implementers to discuss, identify and address key clean energy challenges, as well as successes and innovations across the region.
Last year, the ACEF gathered over 1,400 participants from 71 countries from Asia and other parts of the world. (Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA)
