On Tuesday, 6 December 2016, Japan Coal Energy Center (JCOAL) and New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) representatives paid a courtesy call to the ASEAN Centre of Energy (ACE)’s Office in Jakarta, Indonesia.  JCOAL’s Senior Executive, Mr. Masamichi Hashiguchi alongside with NEDO Director General, Mr. Noboru Aoki, shared JCOAL’s efforts to reduce emissions from coal utilisation by implementing these actions: i) enhancing efficiency, ii) utilising renewable energy (RE) such as biomass for coal firing system and iii) carbon capture and storage (CCS) utilisation. In this regard, JCOAL emphasised that they are keen to have close cooperation with ACE to promote clean coal technology (CCT) in ASEAN.

The Executive Director of ACE, Ir. Dr. Sanjayan Velautham shared that in the next 10 years, coal is forecasted to be surpassing oil and gas in ASEAN, particularly for electricity generation. Furthermore, ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2016-2025’s objective to achieve energy sustainability and affordability for all in 2025 will require more energy sources. This will increase coal demand since it is the most affordable compared to other fossil fuels. He appreciated JCOAL’s continuous support to the activities related to CCT.

Furthermore, ACE and JCOAL had a fruitful discussion on the latest development of clean technology in Japan, such as: i) coal ash for fertiliser; ii) fuel cell for CO2 reduction; iii) bioenergy developments; and iv) hydrogen as artificial coal.  JCOAL added that currently, Japan is developing the integrated gasification fuel cell (IGFC) system which has 60% efficiency compared to other coal-fired power plant systems. The commercialisation of IGFC will commence in 2025.  The system provides benefits that significantly decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from coal utilisation. ACE expressed its willingness to strengthen collaboration with JCOAL and other dialogue partners in order to widen the CCT options for ASEAN policymakers. (SBS)