Energy

APEC’s Energy Working Group (EWG), launched in 1990, seeks to maximize the energy sector's contribution to the economic and social well-being of the people in the APEC region, while mitigating the environmental effects of energy supply and use.

Importance of energy cooperation

According to a report, APEC Energy Demand and Supply Outlook (8th Edition), produced by the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC),

• APEC economies represent over 38 percent of the global population and 56 percent of global economic activity, with strong economic trade ties throughout the world.
• The role APEC plays in the global energy market is indispensable. It accounts for 56 percent of world energy demand, 58 percent of world energy supply, and 68 percent of world electricity generation. APEC accounts for 60 percent of global CO2 emissions.

Given that the world is already experiencing the harmful effects of climate change, it is also imperative to prioritize climate action. As of 2023, 19 APEC economies have declared commitments to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 or 2060.

On the other hand, economic output (real GDP) is anticipated to more than double by 2050 in the region, while APEC population is expected to peak in the 2030s, before declining to be only 2 percent higher in 2050. This accelerated economic growth is frequently associated with heightened energy demand, leading to increased CO2 emissions. Moreover, considering each APEC economy is in a unique situation, influenced by factors such as their level of economic development and social circumstances, it is imperative for APEC economies to simultaneously address climate change, promote economic growth, and facilitate the transition to sustainable energy.

APEC energy goals

EWG has set two collective goals:

• to improve energy intensity by at least 45 percent by 2035 compared to 2005 levels;
• to double the share of modern renewables in the energy mix by 2030, relative to the numbers from 2010.

To achieve these goals, EWG has undertaken a wide range of activities. In 2023, APEC economies have proposed 14 APEC-funded projects in EWG, covering various areas such as policy dialogues, workshops, and peer reviews for low-carbon energy policies. These capacity building and technical assistance initiatives are at the core of EWG's work as the group supports economies in their transition towards a more sustainable economic growth.

Subgroups

Four expert groups assist the EWG:

• Clean Fossil Energy (EGCFE)
• Energy Data and Analysis (EGEDA)
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EGEEC)
• New and Renewable Energy Technologies (EGNRET)

As well as one task force:

• Energy Resiliency Task Force (ER-TF).

Research bodies

Two subsidiary research bodies further support the EWG:

• Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC) – established in July 1996 in Tokyo, in accordance with the Osaka Action Agenda adopted by APEC Economic Leaders in 1995.
• The APEC Sustainable Energy Centre (APSEC) – established in 2015 at Tianjin University, China, following endorsement by APEC Economic Leaders in Beijing in 2014.

The two research bodies have played an important role to enhance EWG activities. These are examples of their recent activities:

• Peer Review on Energy Efficiency (PREE): Japan/APERC (EWG 06 2022A)
  • The 7th Energy Efficiency Policy Workshop on “Electrification and Energy Efficiency" was held in conjunction with EGEEC 61 and EGNRET 59 in October 2023 in the Philippines. Economies discussed and exchanged the issues on energy efficiency and electrification toward a decarbonized power system.
• Support Offshore Wind Deployment and Grid Connection: China/APSEC (EWG 06 2021A)
  • The project aims to review and analyze the experience of OSW power development and synthesize recommendations to accelerate OSW development in the APEC region.
  • Review relevant policies and development plans, and planning mechanisms.
  • Analyze the challenges, barriers, and opportunities for OSW project investment.
  • Support OSW power grid integration.
  • Provide recommendations on policies and technical solutions to promoting OSW in the APEC region.

Sub-Fund for Energy Efficiency, Low-Carbon and Energy Resiliency Measures

Since 2009 an APEC Sub-Fund for Energy Efficiency, Low-Carbon and Energy Resiliency Measures has been maintained with contributions from the government of Japan. This sub-fund continues to support a wide range of energy-related technical capacity-building projects supporting cooperation between APEC members. The general procedures for applying for APEC project funding are available here. 

Last page update: January 2024

Contacts

Current Activities

EWG 66

At the latest meeting of the Energy Working Group (EWG66) hosted by Thailand from 27 November to 1 December 2023, members reviewed progress towards their goals and charted the way ahead for collaboration, including through APEC’s energy projects.

(1) EWG member economies shared their notable energy developments since EWG65. APERC and APSEC also reported their projects, events and activities.

(2) Four EWG expert groups and 1 task force reported the progress, including completed projects, new APEC-funded and self-funded projects.

(3) Just Energy Transition: Economies discussed Just Energy Transition Initiative to move forward, based on Joint Ministerial Statement of the 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting, where EWG was tasked to create the Just Energy Transition Initiative.

(4) APEC 2024 host, Peru, presented the policy dialogue of “green and low-carbon hydrogen as an enabler of energy transition.” This topic will be discussed further in EWG during their host year.

(5) APERC hosted a workshop on their activities. Thailand hosted a “Workshop on BCG for Energy Sustainability: From Vision into Action”.

13th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting in 2023

APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting was held in Seattle in August 2023, which marked the first convening of APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting in eight years. APEC energy ministers engaged in discussions covering various critical energy and climate topics. These discussions included:

 1) Power sector decarbonization,

 2) Accelerating methane abatement, and

 3) Supporting a Just Energy Transition.

Of particular significance, just energy transition is one of the central concepts toward a low-carbon society while emphasizing equity and inclusivity. Energy ministers deliberated on how to ensure fairness and social inclusion while driving the energy transition forward. During the Seattle meeting, energy ministers reached consensus on the “Non-Binding Just Energy Transition Principles for APEC Cooperation” and tasked EWG to establish a Just Energy Transition Initiative, as outlined in The Chair’s Statement of the Energy Ministerial Meeting.