In collaboration with ASEAN Foundation (AF), ASEAN-German Energy Programme (AGEP) Phase II, a jointly implemented project by the ACE and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), organised a virtual talkshow entitled “Facts and Myths about Energy Transitions” to promote sustainable energy and engage with the youth across the region.  The virtual talkshow was held on 28 April 2021 featuring experts in renewable energy as key speakers discussing the implementation process of renewable energy and the role of emerging technology to support renewable energy in ASEAN.

In the first session, Melati Wulandari from GIZ AGEP, explained the roadmap, progress and implementation of renewable energy to achieve ASEAN regional target to increase renewable energy (RE) up to 23% in total primary energy supply (TPES) by 2025. Through energy transitions, Jan Willem Zwarteveen of Siemens Gamesha Renewable Technology also mentioned that ASEAN member states have received other advantages such as job creation, cost reduction and energy security. In the second session, Sandy Fajrian from ACE AGEP and Dr. Tharinya Supasa of Agora Energiewende explained the limitation and development of current RE technologies to improve energy transitions in ASEAN. They mentioned that in order to increase RE, there are several interventions that require utilisation of emerging technology.

With the lead of Mahmudi Yusbi, Head of Programme in ASEAN Foundation, and Rizky Fauzianto, GIZ AGEP’s Team Leader, as moderator in each session, they succeeded in leading discussion between youth and speakers, indicated by the high participation of youth in asking various questions related to the energy transitions and in ASEAN. The virtual talkshow also encourages the youth to engage in energy transitions by joining ASEAN photo competition on sustainable energy practice where the top 3 winners and people’s choice award winner will be awarded at the ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) 2021. (SGD)