This opening workshop of our engagement in Southeast Asia, organised with the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), was held to gather input and stimulate discussion from stakeholders involved in off-grid projects in ASEAN countries.
Participants included renewable energy experts, technology providers, funders, community projects leaders, corporations/ private sectors, policy makers, local authorities and government agencies of ASEAN countries sharing their input on projects carried out in their respective countries especially projects that have stimulated economic activities of the respective society.
The workshop also discussed challenges, best practices as well as failures in attempting to implement such projects.
Day 1 – Tuesday 27 January
| 9:00 | Welcome by Academician Tan Sri Ir Ahmad Zaidee Laidin FASc |
| 9:10 | Presentation on Smart Village Concept by Dr John Holmes, E4SV |
| 9:30 | PANEL SESSION 1 – Smart Village case studies |
| Moderator: Professor Sir Brian Heap | |
| Terrat – the East Africa experience by Martin Kariongi | |
| e-Bario project by Dr Poline Bala, UNIMAS | |
| Long Lamai Project by Dr Alvin Yeo, UNIMAS | |
| Thailand’s experience by Mr Sumate Tanchareon, King Mongkut University | |
| Smart Communities by Mr. Nik Faizul, MIGHT | |
| 10:30 | Q&A and plenary discussion sessionModerator: Professor Ernst van Groningen |
| What makes a village smart? What should our collective ambition be? Participants’ views on smart villages to frame discussion for the rest of the workshop. Ensuring the discussions move away from talking about energy projects in isolation to including the broader development agenda. | |
| 11:30 | Break |
| 11:15 | PANEL SESSION 2 – Key Energy Uses in South East AsiaModerator: Ir Lalchand FASc |
| Moderator: Ir Lalchand FASc | |
| Electricity Supply to Rural Communities, Key Uses and Benefits by Adrian Lasimbang, TONIBUNG | |
| Cambodia Millennium Village by Dr Heng Sokbil, AAET | |
| Creation of enterprises and social entrepreneurship by Mr Sapto Nugroho, InstitutBusines dan Ekonomi Kerakyatan (IBEKA), Indonesia | |
| Solar social enterprise and sustainable living and Salinee Tavaranan, BGET, Thailand | |
| 12:30 | Breakout sessions: Key uses and needs for energy in SE Asia |
| Report back to plenary | |
| 13:15 | Lunch |
| 14:30 | Official Opening of the Smart Village Initiative and workshop |
| Arrival of YB Datuk Dr Ewon EbinMinister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) | |
| Group photo with delegates | |
| National Anthem, Negaraku | |
| Doa recitation | |
| Welcome Address by Tan Sri Datuk Dr Ahmad Tajuddin FASc President of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia | |
| Speech by Professor Sir Brian Heap Senior Advisor for Smart Villages/CMEDT | |
| Multimedia Presentation | |
| Opening Address and Launching by YB Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) | |
| 16:00 | Press Conference, Tea Break and Networking |
| 16:20 | Keynote Address – Village Level Energy Situation in Malaysia by rep from Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) (tbc) |
| by Ir. Mohd Azhar Abdul Rahman , TNB | |
| 16:40 | Keynote Address – Socio-Economy Impact of Access to Energy in Remote Community |
| by Prof Dato’ Dr Kamaruzzaman Sopian FASc, UKM | |
| 17:00 | Adjourn |
Day 2 - Wednesday 28 January
| 09:00 | Summary of Day 1 by Dr John Holmes |
| 09:20 | ENTREPRENEURIAL CASE STUDY “ELEVATOR PITCHES” |
| Moderator: Prof Howard Alper | |
| 10-minute lightning presentations of projects implemented in S E Asia – synopses of technologies used, delivery/implementation method, acceptance and outcomes. | |
| 1. Hybrid Solutions/ Rural Electrification by Ir Dr Abang Hatta Abang Taha, Gabungan Binaan Jurutenaga Sdn Bhd | |
| 2. Barefoot College by Yap Li Ling , SWEPA | |
| 3. Kg. Stamang case study (before and after micro-hydro) by Hj Mohd Fauzi Ismail, General Manager of Renewable Energy Research Centre, SIRIM | |
| 4. Rural Electrification Using Solar-Hydro Hybrid Energy – A Long Pasia Scenario by Prof Hew Wooi Ping, UMPEDAC University of Malaya | |
| 5. Light up the Philippines by Citra Savitri, KOPERNIK | |
| 6. Lighting up Off-Grid Rural Communities with Sustainable & Renewable Micro-Hydro Energy by Chen Tzy Wen, Lightup Borneo | |
| Break | |
| 7. Sunlabob, Laos by Benoit Dubeau | |
| 8. Myanmar Eco Solutions by Ben Frederick | |
| 9. Ibu Inspirasi/ Wonder Women initiative by Citra Savitri, KOPERNIK | |
| 10. SACASOL CSR Project, Philippines by Don Mario Y Dia, IRENA | |
| 11. ENTEC Indonesia by Gerhard Fischer | |
| 12. Development Projects for Rural Community Development in Sarawak. Prof Dr Al-Khalid Hj Othman, Eng. Faculty (UNIMAS) | |
| 12:00 | Plenary discussion of case studies |
| Moderator: Professor Ernst van Groningen | |
| Key learning points; what were the challenges, how were they overcome, transferable lessons; what were the community impacts? | |
| How can we ensure that the lessons from these case studies can effectively inform initiatives in other location within SE Asia and in other regions? | |
| What were key financial components? What technological developments could unlock new opportunities? | |
| 13:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 | Keynote Address – Powering Community with Hydro |
| by Dr Chen Shiun, SEB | |
| 14:20 | PANEL SESSION 3 (Parallel sessions) |
| Parallel Session 1 – Cultural Acceptability | |
| Moderator – Dr Poline Bala, UNIMAS | |
| Panelist 1 – Ms Kara Bennett, BGET | |
| Panelist 2 – Ms Chitra Savitri, KOPERNIK | |
| Panelist 3 – Dr June Ngo Siok Kheng, UNIMAS | |
| Parallel Session 2 – Biomass and Biogas | |
| Moderator – Prof Emeritus Dr Lim Koon Ong FASc, ASM | |
| Panelist 1 – Associate Prof Tan Chong Eng, UNIMAS | |
| Panelist 2 – Nazeri Abdul Rahman, UNIMAS | |
| Panelist 3 – Dr Zainal Alimuddin b. Zainal Alauddin, USM | |
| Parallel Session 3 – System Optimization | |
| Moderator – Ir Lalchand FASc, ASM | |
| Panelist 1 – Dr Chen Shiun, SEB | |
| Panelist 2 – Prof Andrew Rigit, UNIMAS | |
| Panelist 3 – Ir Mohd Azhar Abdul Rahman, TNBES | |
| Panelist 4 – Dr Che Hang Seng, UMPEDAC University Malaya | |
| Panelist 5 – Mr Doan Van Binh, VAST | |
| 15:20 | Keynote Address – Best practices and design principles for village energy access programsfor Energy |
| by Dr Benjamin K Sovacool, Director of the Danish Centre | |
| 15:50 | Break |
| 16:10 | Keynote Address – Entrepreneurship as a Vehicle to Encourage Grass Roots Innovation by |
| Prof Howard Alper, Chair of Government of Canada Science Technology & Innovation Council | |
| 16:30 | Parallel session summaries and discussion in plenary |
| Moderator: Dr Shailaja Fennell | |
| 17:00 | Adjourn |
| 19:30 | Dinner and Cultural Show (hosted by UNIMAS) |
| Speech by Vice-Chancellor of UNIMAS | |
| Handicraft sales | |
| Talk by Tribal Wisdom Speaker programme by Sarawak Convention Bureau |
Day 3 - Thursday 29 January
| 09:00 | Summary of Day 2 by Dr John Holmes |
| 09:30 | Panel Session 4 – Other Perspectives on Off-grid Energy in South East Asia |
| Moderator: tbc | |
| Policy Instruments in Facilitating RE Mini(off)-grid Investment (International experience with implication for ASEAN) by Dr Liu Xiying, National University of Singapore | |
| eHomemakers and NGO perspectives on off-grid energy by Chong Sheau Ching | |
| The R&D perspective in Singapore by Timothy Walsh, SERIS | |
| Industry and Entrepreneurs perspective: Renewable Energy Association of Myanmar by U Khin Maung Soe | |
| The work of TERI by Jeevan Mohanty | |
| 11:00 | Panel and plenary discussion |
| Moderator: Professor Sir Brian Heap | |
| What can ASEAN countries learn from each other, and what common initiatives they might take in advancing village level energy for development? What are unique challenges or advantages in ASEAN region in this field? | |
| 11:30 | Breakout groups & report back to plenary |
| How do we get started? Chair: Professor Ernst van Groningen | |
| How do we sell the vision? Chair: Richard Hayhurst | |
| How do we measure? Chair: Professor Sir Brian Heap | |
| What happens next? Chair: Dr Heather Cruickshank. | |
| Overarching themes of workshop: how can we establish the necessary framework conditions to support off-grid energy for development? | |
| 13:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 | Panel and Plenary Discussion |
| Moderator: Dr Bernie Jones | |
| Panel: Dr Alvin Yeo, Citra Savitri, Timothy Walsh, Chong Sheau Ching, Don Mario Y Dia, Ir Lal Chand | |
| What messages should we be giving to key audiences – funders, EU, ASEAN, corporate sector, regulators etc. How can we establish the necessary framework conditions to support off-grid energy for development? | |
| 15:00 | Summary and farewell |
