Background 

The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an intergovernmental organisation that independently represents the 10 ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) interests in the energy sector. The Centre serves as a catalyst for the economic growth and integration of the ASEAN region by initiating and facilitating multilateral collaborations and joint and collective energy activities. It is guided by a Governing Council composed of Senior Officials on Energy from each AMS and a representative from the ASEAN Secretariat as an ex-officio member. Hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia, ACE head office is located in Jakarta. 

 As part of the efforts to fulfil its function as a regional centre of excellence that builds a coherent, coordinated, focused and robust energy policy agenda and strategy for ASEAN, ACE conducts joint studies, policy dialogues and capacity buildings for AMS to support the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2016-2025. APAEC is the regional blueprint for enhancing energy connectivity and market integration in ASEAN to achieve energy security, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability for all AMS. One of the seven (7) Programme Areas under the APAEC Phase II: 2021-2025 is Regional Energy Policy and Planning (REPP), where one of the aims is to advance energy policy and planning to accelerate the region’s energy transition and resilience, with relation to energy-climate nexus.  

Methane has recently gained global attention, especially considering that it has a warming effect of 28 times that of carbon dioxide, over a 100-year time scale. In 2023, ASEAN emitted 0.32 million tonnes of methane from the energy sector. As projected under the 8th ASEAN Energy Outlook, energy demand in the region is projected to triple that of 2020 levels, reaching approximately 1,107.9 Mtoe in 2050 and will be dominated by oil, gas and coal. Energy-related GHG emissions are therefore projected to reach 5,127 MtCO₂e by 2050, with methane accounting up to 1,100 MtCO₂e from 2020 levels.  

While there is growing political appetite and awareness, tangible action remains insufficient. Currently, no ASEAN government has set specific methane reduction targets and/or policies for the oil/gas/coal sector. Six (6) countries are part of the Global Methane Pledge, yet the Pledge is non-binding and not sector-specific. The oil and gas sector shows more progress through some ASEAN oil and gas companies being members to the OGMP 2.0 Reporting Scheme and signatories to the COP28 Oil Decarbonization Charter, while coal sector awareness remains low, reflected by underreported coal mine methane emissions. Nevertheless, both sectors are not moving at a quick enough pace to meet the Paris Agreement target.  

An underlying issue of limited progress can be attributed to the four main challenges: (i) lack of policy and stakeholder engagement, (ii) lack of regional capacity and research, (iii) limited financing, and (iv) lack of data availability and transparency. 

To tackle these challenges, ACE, supported by the Global Methane Hub (GMH) under the HOIRZONS project will conduct the first regional conference on methane, “ASEAN Methane Energy High-Level Policy Dialogue” aimed at gathering all relevant stakeholders to raise awareness, catalyse dialogue and support for ASEAN’s methane emissions reduction in the energy sector. Therefore, ACE seeks event organisers (hereinafter referred to as “consultant”) to support the project and deliver a part of the project’s output, as laid down below. 

About the ASEAN Methane Energy High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) 

ASEAN Methane HLPD’s two-day event is the first regional conference on methane aimed at gathering all relevant stakeholders to raise awareness, catalyse dialogue and support for ASEAN’s methane emissions reduction in the energy sector, and the HORIZONS Hub development. Day 1 will feature a lecture session, sharing all important and emerging methane-related issues by series of panel discussions. Day 2 will be an interactive session, featuring a series of exercises and roundtable dialogue to be attended by the public and private sector. 

Date of the Event : 3 – 4 June 2025
Location : To be confirmed (TBC), Jakarta, Indonesia
Arrangement : Physical Event (possible hybrid arrangement may be considered) 

Objectives

• To map out the relevant stakeholders (i.e. government ministries, energy operators, technology providers, etc.) involved in methane emissions abatement efforts in ASEAN’s energy sector.
• To raise awareness and catalyse multi-stakeholder dialogue on the importance, existing best practices, and strategies to abate methane emissions in the energy sector/
• To gather inputs and actionable recommendations for HORIZONS project output(s), in accordance with respective ASEAN countries interest and priorities  

Targeted Participants

• Policymakers from ASEAN Member States including ministry of energy, environment, trade and industry, etc. 
• Oil, gas, and coal companies operating within ASEAN.
• Representatives from regional and international organisations.
• Industry leaders and technology providers specialising in methane emissions reduction.
• Experts from financial institutions and multilateral development banks.
• Experts from legal practitioners, researchers, and academia with expertise in energy transition 

Mode

• Day 1: Open to the public with limited reservation (250 pax estimation) 
• Day 2: Closed conference by invitation only (100 pax estimation) 

General Scope of Works 

The appointed event organiser is expected to support ACE in the following expected responsibilities: 

Pre-Event and D-day 

1. Under the supervision of ACE, responsible for the comprehensive management of the conference, including the organisation of the event, registration, visitor information services, event catalogues, contractors (e.g. security, cleaning, operator, etc.), staff, directional and table signage, protocol and social functions, post-event dismantling, and recycling or reuse of conference components (including arrangements for an online platform and its mechanism, if necessary). 
2. Provide support to ACE in liaising with and sourcing an event decoration vendor to design and furnish the conference space, with particular responsibility to procure and coordinate the installation of the LED screen backdrop (for Day 1), based on the following specification: height 2.5 meters, width 12–14 meters (aspect ratio 1:5, ultra-wide). This format is ideal for stage backdrops, presentations, or panoramic content. A visual reference of the desired LED screen setup is included below for clarity:  

• • Provide support to ACE in managing public participation, including consolidating registration data, preparing and facilitating on-site registration forms, distributing conference materials (e.g. name tags, booklets), and ushering guests. 
  • Provide support to ACE in arranging the Gala Dinner on Day 1, including sending invitations to selected delegates, overseeing table arrangements, decorations, entertainment, MC, and overall coordination. 
  • Coordinate with ACE and assume responsibility for on-site management and organisation of B2B meetings (if requested by delegates). 
  • Together with ACE to prepare and develop a set of communication and promotional materials, including but not limited to video trailer, countdown posts, and event posters.  

 Post – Event and Others 

1. Provide support in documentation of the whole event (professional photos and videography) 
2. Provide post-event reports, including the list of attendance, proceedings, and financial expenditure
3. Provide support to ACE in developing and circulating feedback survey 

Submission of Proposal 

Interested event organisers are requested to submit a comprehensive proposal, consisting of these following components:  

1). Technical Proposal, to include: 

1. Understanding of the assignment 
2. Summary of the strategy for delivering the assignment 
3. Information of the proponents, including the company profile, relevant experiences, manpower capability, financial capability, or other relevant information. 

2). Financial Proposal, to include: 

1. Expected expenses to organise the event

The proposal should be submitted to [email protected] and [email protected] on or before 5 May 2025.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to do the presentation and interview session. 

Read the full ToR here. 

BACKGROUND 

The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an intergovernmental organisation that independently represents the 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS) interests in the energy sector. The Centre serves as a catalyst for the economic growth and integration of the ASEAN region by initiating and facilitating multilateral collaborations and joint and collective energy activities. It is guided by a Governing Council composed of Senior Officials on Energy from each AMS and a representative from the ASEAN Secretariat as an ex-officio member. The ACE office is in Jakarta, hosted by Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. 

As part of the efforts to fulfil its function as a regional centre of excellence that builds a coherent, coordinated, focused and robust energy policy agenda and strategy for ASEAN, ACE conducts joint studies, policy dialogues and capacity buildings for AMS to support the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2016-2025. APAEC is the blueprint for enhancing energy connectivity and market integration in ASEAN to achieve energy security, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability for all AMS.  

Concerning the above and alignment with the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2016-2025 Phase 2: 2021-20251 to analyse the expansion of ASEAN Power Grid (APG) to consider other flexible resources and emerging technologies in order to integrate the renewable energy into APG.  

One of the technologies that could provide flexibility to the grid is Battery Energy Storage System. 

BESS is a relatively new technology in the region. This capacity-building workshop will support the BESS development in the region, especially 1 GW of BESS under the 5.2 GW Big Lot scheme in Thailand and 300 MW of BESS by 2030 under the PDP8 in Vietnam. There is also a large possibility for behind-the-meter applications, along with solar rooftop PV projects. 

For utilities, BESS offers numerous commercial and operational benefits, but to capitalize on them, utilities must grasp key technical and financial considerations. Technically, BESS can improve grid efficiency, mitigate power outages, and enable the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar. From a commercial perspective, utilities must assess the lifecycle costs, return on investment (ROI), and revenue streams associated with BESS, such as arbitrage and ancillary services. Utilities should also understand financing models, including public-private partnerships and performance-based incentives, which can reduce upfront costs and improve project viability. Gaining a comprehensive view of these considerations will allow utilities to strategically incorporate BESS into their energy portfolios and optimize grid performance. 

For regulators, understanding BESS is crucial to ensuring grid reliability and fostering renewable energy integration. From a technical perspective, regulators need to learn about the role BESS plays in frequency regulation, load balancing, and peak shaving. On the policy front, BESS raises considerations around setting standards for safety, performance, and interoperability with other grid technologies. This knowledge can help in crafting guidelines that encourage innovation while maintaining grid stability. Moreover, regulators must understand the long-term impacts of BESS deployment, such as its potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and create policies that incentivize the deployment of these systems, particularly in regions transitioning to greener energy portfolios. 

Therefore, ACE seeks individual/firm consultancy services to support the project activities to deliver Capacity Building Workshop on Battery Energy Storage System for ASEAN Stakeholders.  

DURATION OF ENGAGEMENT 

The consultant awarded with the assignment will be hired for up to 6 weeks from early May until mid-June, obliged to work within the required deadlines, and available for calls or meetings, virtually and in person, as needed.  

The consultant will undertake this project for a period in line with Table 1 of clause VI, which can be continuous or intermittent due to further discussion between ACE and the consultant. 

TASK TO BE UNDERTAKEN 

The consultant is expected to develop the concept, agenda and methodology of the workshop which could provide a holistic approach to capacity building for all BESS development market stakeholders, including technical, policy, incentives, commercial deployment, and financing considerations. The consultant requires to deliver the coursework session together with the active exercises for each session so that participants can practice designing and reviewing the BESS development projects. The subject of each session is as follows: 

• Technical: design for each application, standards, safety, and key operation issues.
• Policy: laws and regulations, utility considerations, and incentives 
• Deployment: commercial contracting, procurement, revenue considerations, and project development 
• Financing: understanding risk and key assumptions 

Upon the completion of the training, the participants are expected to:  

•  Develop a solid understanding of BESS technologies, their applications, and relevance in Southeast Asia’s energy transition. 
• Strengthen their ability to evaluate technical design and integration requirements for grid connected and off-grid BESS solutions.
• Gain awareness of the regulatory, policy, and institutional frameworks that support BESS deployment.
• Understand key business models and financing approaches for energy storage projects, including risk mitigation and revenue streams.
• Learn from regional and global case studies to contextualize best practices and common challenges. 
• Apply new knowledge through group-based scenario exercises and problem-solving sessions. 
• Engage in peer exchange and build connections with stakeholders from across the energy ecosystem—including policymakers, utilities, financiers, and developers.

A post-training survey and participant feedback session will be conducted to evaluate these outcomes and inform future training initiatives.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES  

Expected outputs and deliverables, including timelines for the submission by the consultant, are: 

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION 

The proposal should be submitted to [email protected] and cc [email protected] by 6 May 2025 (GMT+7). 

Technical and Financial proposals are to be submitted as two (2) separate electronic files. The proposals are to be submitted in pdf format. 

Please indicate the subject heading: Document for BESS Workshop Consultant. 

Download the full ToR here.