RENEWABLE ENERGY ASIA 2009

South East Asian overview
Based on the latest projects from the Thai Department of Energy (DOE) renewable energy is projected to provide up to 40% of Thailand’s main energy requirements over the next ten years. And much the same can be said for other countries in the region. With the huge rise in the price of oil that has hit in every country expect the main suppliers, Renewable Energy is now one of the hottest growth areas in the business. Biomass, hydro and geo-thermal power, solar and wind – all these technologies are now of enormous global interest and Bangkok's Renewable Energy Asia 2008 exhibition is suddenly one of the most important exhibitions in South East Asia.

Following is an overview of what countries are now undertaking and looking for as regards Renewable Energy.

INDONESIA

The country has instituted a number of policies to promote Renewable Energy power generation through "Green Energy Policy". A Small Power program uses Renewable Energy to support small enterprises with capacity less than 1 MW and a Medium-Scale Power Generation program supports businesses with capacity under 10 MW. The Indonesian "Blueprint for National Energy Management 2005-2025" has Renewable Energy targeted to supply 4% of the country's electricity needs by 2025. However this is now under pressure from the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) to be redrafted with the aim of achieving at least 20% of electrical power through Renewable Energy programs and systems within this time-frame.

MALAYSIA

The country's Ninth Plan (2006-2010) strengthens initiatives for Renewable Energy & better utilization of energy resources. The government provides a wide variety of tax incentives for new investments, a 60% tax allowance on capital expenditure and as of 8 September 2007 a 100% Investment Tax Allowance for renewable energy projects.

All renewable areas are of interest to the country including biomass of which Malaysia has an abundance of resource in palm oil.

PHILIPPINES

The Philippines Department of Energy (DOE) recently outlined its long term goals and increasing Renewable Energy programs by 100 percent by 2013 was at the top of the list. The country aims to be the number one geothermal energy producer in the world and also the number one wind energy producer in South East Asia by the time. The Philippines is also planning to double hydro-capacity and expand biomass, solar and ocean-powered systems by some 130 MW.

In the next ten years the Philippines want to have 40 percent of the country's primary energy requirements met by Renewable Energy systems. One of the highlights of their program will be to transform Negros island as a model for RE development and make the country a manufacturing hub for PV cells.

Encouraging private sector investment through market-based incentives is a key to these policies.

SINGAPORE

Singapore has several advantages which it can use to make the most out of clean energy solutions. Its urban landscape provides good opportunities for systems integration and building PV operations which can then be exported. It is also well positioned to serve off-grid markets in countries such as India, Indonesia, the Philippines & Sri Lanka - a market of over one billion people. The recent establishment of the world's largest solar manufacturing complex in the country by Norway's Renewable Energy Corporation has led to further investment. A good example of this is the decision by companies such as SolarWorld and Conergy to set up their Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore.

The Singapore Economic Development Board and the National Environment Agency have established inter-agency program offices for clean energy and energy efficiency. In view of the fact that the global solar industry is projected to grow around 40% annually for the next few years and Singapore is well-positioned to take advantage of this dynamic expansion.

THAILAND

Thailand's Energy Policy on RE was outlined by the government earlier this year. It is designed around a "Sufficiency Economy Philosophy" which is based on sustainable development. Renewable Energy plays a major role here and the country is set to increase RE usage from 8% to 12% as part of the plan. This will result in total emission savings of at least a million tons of CO2 per year. The world says thank you.

The country will support all CDM projects that are up for approval and provide "Adder" for electricity produced from renewable energy sources. Thailand will also make low interest loans up to 50 million baht on certain projects. Renewable Energy investment is being promoted through the Thai Board of Industry (BOI) and tax exempt status on raw materials used in solar cell production is now in effect. The country also supports funding for projects through the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund. For 2008-2009 this will be up to 500 million baht.

VIETNAM

Renewable Energy is playing an increasingly important role in the country’s development and the government has provided significant support through its Renewable Energy Action Plan (REAP). To reduce dependency on oil and help ensure energy security, Vietnam is giving preferential treatment to the financing and expansion of indigenous resources. Coastal zones of the country which have naturally strong winds will be developed with RE systems and solar energy is being encouraged and implemented in rural areas along with the use of biogas for cooking in households and farms.

Utilization of biomass from forests and agricultural wastes has also begun together with the development of Renewable Energy sources such as geothermal energy. The country is eager to help maintain its rapidly growing economy with Renewable Energy solutions.