Power Grid To Be Main Focus Of ASEAN Ministers On Energy Meeting

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- The electricity routing effort among ASEAN countries through the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) project implementation will be the main focus of discussions in the 33rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting and Associated Meetings (AMEM 2015) which kicked off Monday. Malaysian Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) deputy minister Dr James Dawos Mamit said discussions on APG needed to be done as there were some ASEAN member countries that could produce more energy than others. "We look at some countries, for instance Vietnam and Myanmar, which are growing too, so once the power grid is done and materialised, then the transfer of power can be done too. "...but at the end of this...it is always the cost that will be applicable," he added. He told reporters this after delivering his keynote address at the two-day ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2015 here. The forum, held in conjunction with AMEM 2015, was also attended by the ministry's Secretary-General, Loo Gee Took, and ASEAN Centre Executive Director for Energy, Dr V. Sanjayan. Meanwhile, Dawos said the Malaysian government would give a major focus on the sustainable use of energy with prudent and efficient management of resources under the Eleventh Malaysia Plan. He said the renewable energy, clean energy and sustainable energy would be part of future energy policy and hoped the networking and collaboration between the private and public sector in energy continued to grow, in order to manage and meet the growing energy demand for secure and affordable energy while addressing climate change and other environmental issues. "The government will endeavour to provide all possibilities to ensure that Malaysia remains a leading destination for investment, and promote innovative, efficient technologies through the market, raise productivity and support the growth of new industries locally," he said. The AMEM 2015 is a platform to foster greater cooperation on energy initiative between ASEAN, its dialogue partners and international energy agencies. The meetings would be attended by delegates from the 10 ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Dialogue Partners and relevant parties. The meetings are expected to reaffirm the continuing role of clean energy including renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean technology to meet the energy needs of ASEAN region. --BERNAMA