ACE and WCA sign MoU to strengthen joint commitments to clean coal

The ACE and WCA are reaffirming their commitment to clean coal technologies

The signing under the new leadership of both organisations builds on a previous collaboration between the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the World Coal Association (WCA), demonstrating both parties’ ongoing commitment to advocate 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 at ACE, stated that 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 the deployment of CCT in the ASEAN region.

Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, executive director, ACE

“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,” he said.

According to the executive director, 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.

Michelle Manook, chief executive of the WCA, stated, “It is critical that the global community is educated by leading organisations such as the 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.”

Michelle Manook, chief executive, WCA

“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,” the chief executive added.

Michelle Manook 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 industries, governments, and investors to collaborate – not regulate – on the advancement of the clean energy transition and to do this agnostically.

The ACE assumes a central role in the ASEAN energy sector. The centre acts as a catalyst for the economic growth and integration of the ASEAN region by initiating and facilitating multilateral collaborations as well as joint and collective activities on energy.

The ACE seeks to accelerate the integration of energy strategies within ASEAN by providing relevant information and expertise to ensure the necessary energy policies and programmes are in harmony with the economic growth and the environmental sustainability of the region.

The WCA represents industry leaders, committed to building a sustainable future for coal and playing an active role in achieving our worldwide economic and environmental aspirations. The WCA Corporate Members include Adani Global, Anglo American, Aurizon, Caterpillar Global Mining, Cerrejón, China Energy Investment Corporation, Dyno Nobel, GE Steam Power, Glencore, Komatsu, Orica, Peabody, PT Berau Coal Energy, SUEK, Whitehaven Coal Limited, XCoal Energy & Resources, and Yancoal.

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