Griffith Asia Institute will establish a new green energy network which aims to connect Asian economies with China – the most complex and important provider of green energy technologies in the world – to accelerate and promote the green energy transition.
The Green Energy Network (GEN-A) will coordinate with Asian energy decision-makers in policy, finance and industry to navigate complex negotiations, and build capacity to engage with China.
Project lead, Griffith Asia Institute Director Professor Christoph Nedopil Wang said the network will facilitate innovation and knowledge sharing and will catalyse green energy transition across the region.
Collaborative efforts with China can help Asian economies access the technology, finance, and expertise needed for their green energy projects – and this must also include support and collaboration with Western public and private partners, Professor Nedopil Wang said.
Asian energy leaders face a multitude of challenges in their quest for just green transition, including accessing green finance, selecting optimal technologies for power generation and distribution, and improving energy storage solutions.
There is an urgency to shift toward sustainable energy solutions as Asia faces a dramatic rise in coal emissions which is up 300 per cent since 1990, and now accounts for 52 per cent of global coal-related emissions.
Energy demand in the region was projected to grow by 3 per cent annually, requiring a significant transformation of energy systems throughout Asia to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Director of Inclusive Growth Programs at the Griffith Asia Institute Mr Shawn Hunter said GEN-A aimed to enhance the capacity of Asian energy leaders in policy, finance, and business.
The network will facilitate a robust exchange of experiences, bridge knowledge gaps and promote informed policy-making through strategic collaborations with Chinese partners and other international players, Mr Hunter said.
The network builds on close partnership with leading regional institutions, including the Institute of Essential Services Reform (IESR), Indonesia, the Pakistan China Institute and Climate Smart Ventures (CSV) to begin work in the pilot phase with stakeholders in Pakistan and Indonesia.