HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EAS ENERGY COOPERATION TASK FORCE (ECTF)
PROGRESS REPORT

August 2007

Background

1. The EAS Energy Cooperation Task Force (ECTF) was established on 1 March 2007 and agreed to focus initially on three areas for cooperation, (i) Energy Efficiency & Conservation; (ii) Energy Market Integration; and (iii) Bio-fuels for transport and for other purposes. Five meetings have been successfully convened in various venues in the EAS.
2. With regard to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) Work Stream, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia as Co-Chairs have developed a set of recommendations to promote EE&C. These include:
   1. The voluntary formulation of individual, quantitative, and where possible, sector-specific energy efficiency goals and action plans with medium term time frames;
   2. Presentation of a preliminary report on their development to Second EAS Energy Ministers Meeting (EMM2) in 2008; and presentation of the goals and action plans at EAS EMM3 in 2009;
   3. Utilising international and regional initiatives when developing energy efficiency indicators and compiling best practices in formulating energy efficiency goals;
   4. Carrying out stock-takes of existing measures on energy efficiency and conservation with regular updates in cooperation with the Asian Energy Conservation Collaboration Centre;
   5. Considering the full range of policies and measures covering key energy consuming sectors in formulating energy efficiency goals and action plans;
   6. Promoting and encouraging market-based pricing;
   7. Promoting effective monitoring through regular dialogues and communications on the progress of each country's energy efficiency goals in close cooperation with the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and other related international organisations;
   8. Enhancing regional dialogue, information sharing and cooperation to improve energy efficiency, with a focus on capacity building;
   9. Encouraging international financial institutions to provide support for energy efficiency investments and to develop effective tools for facilitating investments;
   10. Developing an EAS Energy Outlook; and
   11. Promoting links with relevant international and regional institutions.
3. The Energy Market Integration Work Stream is co-chaired by Singapore and Australia. The recommendations include:
   1. Sharing information on energy market integration to promote better understanding of the operation and benefits of integrated energy markets;
   2. Commissioning a consultancy study to assess the challenges, barriers, potential and opportunities for energy market integration, as well as to propose a set of recommendations and an action plan;
   3. Consulting with relevant agencies such as the Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities (HAPUA) Council and the ASEAN Council on Petroleum (ASCOPE) for the study;
   4. Completing the study by June 2008 for endorsement by the EAS ECTF and presentation to EAS Energy Ministers at EAS EMM2 in 2008; and
   5. Developing a plan of action based on the recommendations detailed in the study.
4. The Philippines took the lead in the Bio-fuels for Transport and Other Purposes Work Stream. The recommendations include:
   1. Implementation of an "East Asia Energy Cooperation Program on Biofuels", including formulation and adoption of the East Asian Biomass Energy Principles;
   2. Producing a report on the current situation of the East Asian biofuels sector for EAS EMM2;
   3. Undertaking capacity building activities through the training of experts, transfer of technology; and seminars and workshops; and
   4. Utilisation of the Asia Biomass Energy Research Core (ABERC) and promotion of a joint research program that includes benchmarking for biofuels standards and sustainable biomass utilisation.