Even though Asian countries have kept future energy needs at the top priority, it would not be an easy task for each of them to assure future energy security due to lack of proper coordination among the policy makers, industry and public.
Growing energy demand has alarmed countries in the Asian continent to explore viable options to ensure energy security. According to a recent survey carried out by global energy major Shell, countries like Thailand, the Philippines and India are on the top in a list of nine Asian countries that say they are very concerned about future energy needs, amid increasing pressure for more energy, water and food.
The results emerged from a series of Shell-commissioned Future Energy surveys in which 80 % of the respondents ranked longer-term future energy needs alongside everyday concerns like public education and cost of living as important.
These concerns have also arisen amid growing energy pressures globally. By 2030, the world will need 40% to 50% more energy, water and food in tandem with rising demand and increased population. Tremendous stress will be placed on these vital resources as energy is used to move and treat water; water is required to produce energy and both energy and water are required in the production of food.
“It is encouraging to know that Asians view future energy needs as high priority, as this region will see one of the fastest growth in population and energy demand,” said Jeremy Bentham, Shell’s Vice President for Global Business Environment.
Meanwhile, it is expected that energy shortages and higher energy prices would have a significant impact on their countries. Issues seen as most pertinent are energy shortages in Thailand (91%) and South Korea (70%), higher energy prices in India (91%) and Singapore (79%), water shortages in Vietnam (89%) and food shortages in Indonesia (86%).
The survey indicates that Asia is in favour of a mix of future energy sources, with solar energy and natural gas leading the way in many countries. Solar energy is the most desired future energy source across most countries, which include Singapore (86%), Thailand (83%) and India (77%). Natural gas is cited as the most preferred future energy source in Brunei (87%) and second most preferred in Singapore (52%), Indonesia (43%) and India (43%).
Nevertheless, Asian countries need collaborative efforts by the government, industry and people, which is in practice in many of the countries. Collaboration between industry, government, and the public, as well as innovation and incentives for cleaner energy, are the most important factors in shaping future energy needs. “More than ever before, the industry, government and public all have a joint responsibility to create a better energy future, and must come together to collaborate and coordinate our efforts to meet these challenges for generations to come,” said Bentham
The report highlights that energy mix would be a viable option for Asian countries. The world’s water, energy and food systems are tightly linked. Water is needed for almost all forms of energy production; energy is needed to treat and transport water; and both water and energy are needed to grow food. This relationship between vital resources, the so-called “energy-water-food nexus”, is moving higher on the agendas of governments, NGOs and businesses, including Shell.
Going ahead, high energy price is big challenge for Asian countries and it has also a major concern for them at a time when most of them are struggling with high inflation in the backdrop of economic slowdown. Even though the ruling governments are announcing conducive policy reforms, the prospective results are yet to be realized in many of the countries.
“For years, policymakers have spoken of the need for a more integrated approach to tackle the world’s environmental challenges. But delivering concrete progress has proved notoriously difficult. And the overwhelming tendency is still to consider each issue in isolation,” a Shell spokesperson said in an email response to EPC World.
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