Launching of Strategic Report on the ASEAN Readiness for CCT and CCU Technologies Towards Carbon Neutrality

The ASEAN region relies on coal for its energy needs, especially in the electricity and industry sectors. According to current trends and forecasts, Coal Fired Power Plants (CFPPs) are expected to remain in operation even during the ongoing energy transition. They serve as stable energy sources and provide flexibility until energy storage technology becomes widely accessible and affordable. Consequently, the adoption of Clean Coal Technology (CCT) and Clean Coal Utilization (CCU) is vital for the region to achieve its carbon neutrality goals while maintaining energy security during this transition.

However, there are challenges in implementing CCT and CCU in ASEAN. These include the absence of viable commercial models during the feasibility stage due to high business risks, financial risk-sharing, and concerns about public acceptance. Additionally, technical issues in implementing these technologies persist, and policy and regulatory obstacles remain unresolved.

The Strategic Report on the ASEAN Readiness for CCT and CCU Technologies Towards Carbon Neutrality was prepared by the Japan Carbon Frontier Organization (JCOAL) and the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) in close cooperation with the ASEAN Forum on Coal (AFOC) to address these limitations and challenges to allow wider adoption of CCT and CCU technologies in ASEAN.

The report and launching event will fulfil the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2023 milestones; they are (1) AP 1.3 – Develop Strategic Coal Report including CCUS Readiness and (2) AP 4.4 – Conduct Capacity Building on CCT through Webinar.