The role of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in
boosting the supply chain of solar energy is the main focus of a
workshop held in Hanoi from July 31 to August 1.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Industry and
Trade Nguyen Cam Tu stressed the need to effectively exploit and take
full advantage of renewable energies such as solar energy, wind power
and biomass.
These can help reduce the
exhaustion of non-renewable resources, ensure supply for the operation
of the economy and industrial development, as well as boost economic
growth of APEC member economies, he said.
Ronald
Steenblikx, a representative from the Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD), said APEC leading officials and
ministers from its member economies have paid much attention to the
sustainable development of energies, particularly renewable ones.
In 2012, APEC leaders set a target of a 45 percent improvement in
efficiency by 2035. However, a report on APEC energy outlook by the
Asia-Pacific Energy Research Centre and APEC Energy Working Group showed
APEC’s energy efficiency surge over the last three decade.
Primary energy consumption is expected to grow by 53 percent by 2035.
Without reductions in energy intensity, APEC energy demand will grow at
the same rate as the region’s GDP, which is projected to jump about 225
percent by that year, said the report.
To deal
with energy challenges, Dr. Phyllis Genther Yoshida, head of the working
group, suggested APEC economies work closely to raise public awareness
of climate change and ways to use energy effectively, as well as to
speed up research on low carbon emission technologies and green house
gas emission reduction.-VNA