Photo 1. Group Photo of Participants

ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) organised the 2^nd RECAP Regional Workshop in Bandar Seri Begawan on 4 September 2024 as a sideline meeting of the 11^th BIMP-EAGA Power and Energy Infrastructure Cluster (PEIC) Official Meeting hosted by the Department of Electrical Services of Brunei Darussalam. This particular workshop was hosted by the Energy Transition Division, Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office, Brunei Darussalam.  The gathering brought together key stakeholders composed of BIMP PEIC focal persons, energy regulatory and authority agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to join minds deliberating the conceptual framework of regional Renewable Energy Certificates (REC), to extract deeper insights and fine-tune strategies to secure broader regional support and formal endorsement.

The productive session was opened by Puan Shirley Sikun, Director of Energy Transition Division, Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office, Brunei Darussalam, who emphasised the key objectives of the meeting: to assess the current progress of each BIMP country’s REC markets and draw from those insights to shape the conceptual framework for a regional BIMP REC market. Her remarks set the stage for a deeper exploration into aligning efforts for a unified approach to advancing REC across the region.

Photo 2. Opening Remarks by Puan Shirley Sikun, Director of Energy Transition Division, DOE, PMO

Following the opening remarks, Veronica Ayu Pangestika, Associate Research Analyst of the Sustainable and Renewable Energy (SRE) Department at ACE, took the floor to provide a comprehensive update on the RECAP Project. Over the past two years, the project has achieved monumental strides, including conducting in-depth studies on REC market development, facilitating bilateral discussions with BIMP countries, and laying the groundwork for the BIMP Regional REC Conceptual Framework, which would be the centerpiece of the meeting’s concluding session. These achievements reflect the project’s dedication to moving the needle on regional collaboration in renewable energy.

Thereafter, Monika Merdekawati, Senior Research Analyst or SRE at ACE, Muhammad Ilham Rizaldi, Research Analyst of SRE at ACE, and Veronica provided an extensive overview and conducted a thorough assessment of the current state of each BIMP country’s REC market. Their presentations underscored the diverse progress and challenges faced by the BIMP countries.

Photo 3. REC Market Assessment in BIMP Countries Presentation by Muhammad Ilham Rizaldi and Monika Merdekawati

Concurrent with the individual country market assessments, the session ignited lively discussions driven by thought-provoking questions, spanning from the regulatory frameworks required to govern the REC market to the strategies needed to ensure seamless market implementation, effectively meeting the BIMP regional demand.

Reaching the core of the meeting, Monika Merdekawati, Senior Research Analyst of SRE at ACE, unveiled the preliminary content of the Conceptual Framework for the BIMP Regional REC Market developed under the RECAP Project. Drawing from rigorous analysis of the BIMP REC markets, the project has pinpointed vital challenges within the existing REC landscape, highlighting three critical areas: 1) discrepancies in national standards, 2) alignment with international requirements, and 3) a lack of coordinated efforts across the region.

Taking these challenges into account, the ACE team has outlined key elements that the conceptual framework must address. The first and most crucial element requiring consensus among BIMP countries is the establishment of common REC instruments, which are essential for the effective implementation of the REC market. A developing REC market will also demand robust rules and guidance to ensure its sustainability. Given the regional context, it is vital to designate entities responsible for coordination, oversight, and the promotion of cross-border transactions. Furthermore, as the framework seeks to integrate both voluntary and compliance REC markets, efforts must be made to harmonise these two market forms for feasible operation.

Photo 4. Panel Discussion on the Framework of the BIMP Regional REC Market

As the event drew to a close, Dr Susan Pudin, Head of the BIMP Facilitation Centre, in her closing remark, underscored that the meeting stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit nurtured since the project’s inception in December 2022. Wrapping up the event, Beni Suryadi, Acting Executive Director of ACE, expressed his gratitude to the host and participants of the 2^nd RECAP Regional Workshop. He emphasised the importance of maintaining strong, collaborative ties among the countries moving forward, hoping that this spirit of cooperation will bear fruit in future endeavours.

Photo 5. Overview of Key Insights from Dr Susan Pudin, Head of BIMP Facilitation Centre