Asia seeks to step up regional energy cooperation

Southeast Asia, China, Japan and South Korea will step up cooperation in areas such energy-security, oil stockpiling, natural gas, renewable energy and conservation, regional statements said on Friday.

The 10-state Association of South East Asian Nation and China, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand will jointly “monitor the price-hike effect of the recent recovery in energy demand”, a statement said, without detailing future work.

The 10-country bloc aims to lift output of renewable energy to 15% of regional energy capacity by 2015, a second statement for ASEAN said. That includes hydro-power and biofuels. Renewable energy includes wind and nuclear power.

On Thursday Vietnam called on Southeast Asian countries to consider using nuclear power for peaceful purposes as Asia faces rising energy needs to fuel economic growth.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Reuters

Tags: Asia energy cooperation