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SEAN'€™s energy ministers gathered in Nusa Dua on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in developing renewable energy and enhancing energy efficiency toward prosperity in the region.

Amid rising demand for energy and heavy dependency on fossil fuels in the region, the economies would discuss ways to diversify into renewable energies, increase renewable energy-related investments and energy efficiency technologies, said Indonesian minister Jero Wacik.

'€œThe region undeniably has huge potential for renewable energy, but it is also the biggest energy consumer,'€ he said at the opening of the 31st Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM).

The ministers will also discuss cooperation in the development of electricity networks under the ASEAN Action Plan for Energy Cooperation 2010-2025 and the region'€™s policies on energy.

Indonesia was ready to take the initiative to develop cooperation in the field of renewable energy in the region based on fair principles of benefit sharing, Vice President Boediono said during the opening.

'€œASEAN is able to build an energy cooperation network but it should be conducted with a fair mechanism and long-term objectives.'€

In the cooperation, member states should also be able to balance their respective national interests with the region'€™s common interests.

In addition to member states, delegations from ASEAN'€™s dialogue partners '€” China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, New Zealand, Russia and the US were also present at the three-day meeting.

The meeting agenda also includes a business forum on the energy sector and the presentation of ASEAN Energy Awards for buildings in Southeast Asia that apply an energy-saving system.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) will also be signed on the extension of the Trans ASEAN Gas Pipeline and another MoU on Protocol to Amend the Agreement on the Establishment of the ASEAN Center for Energy.

Energy demand in the region was growing at an unprecedented rate, said Sven Teske, from the climate and energy unit of Greenpeace International.

With minimum use of renewable energy and increasing use of fossil fuels, the region was facing serious impacts from climate change, which were already devastating the lives of many poor people. Besides, Southeast Asia was a region that was most vulnerable yet least prepared to deal with the impact of climate change.

'€œTherefore, an integrated solution should be implemented across the region to address rising energy demand. This can be realized through a decentralized system owing to the region'€™s geographical conditions and challenges,'€ Teske said.

He added that the integrated systems would provide an increasing supply of energy, especially for the poor, while empowering societies and thus create independent communities. According to Greenpeace, about 28 percent of the region'€™s total population, or approximately 160 million people, still had no access to electricity.

'€œThis system can only be successful with the participation of all '€” from the governments and policymakers to corporations who will provide investments, along with civil society actors who will act as catalysts.'€

According to Greenpeace, renewable energy combined with the smart use of energy could deliver over 90 percent of the region'€™s electricity needs by 2050.

'€œRenewable energy is not a dream for the future. It is real, mature, and can be deployed on a large scale, with technologies that produce little or no greenhouse gases and rely on virtually inexhaustible natural elements.'€

'€œDecades of technological progress have seen renewable energy technologies, like wind turbines, solar panels, biomass power plants and solar thermal collectors, move steadily into the mainstream. The global market for renewable energy is steadily growing, and most technologies are already competitive.'€