Jakarta, 25 February 2025: ERIA and the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) co-hosted the ASEAN Coal Transition Technologies (ASCOTRECH) Workshop on 25 February 2025 at JS Luwansa Hotel, Jakarta. The workshop brought together policymakers, industry leaders, financial institution representatives, and technology providers from across the region to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with Clean Coal Technologies (CCT) and Carbon Capture and Storage/Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCS/CCUS) in ASEAN.

The event focused on the technological, regulatory, and financial gaps in coal upgrading as part of the energy transition through CCT and CCS/CCUS. These themes were explored in-depth across three panel discussions.

During the opening session, Dato’ Ts. Ir Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE, welcomed all panellists, speakers, and participants. He emphasised the continued significance of coal in ASEAN’s energy transition, particularly given the region’s economic development. He stressed that promoting CCT and CCS/CCUS requires overcoming economic and regulatory barriers.

Naoto Okura, Director General for Research and Policy Design at ERIA, echoed this message, highlighting the need for collaboration amongst ASEAN Member States to accelerate the development and implementation of CCT and CCS/CCUS. He reaffirmed ERIA’s commitment to supporting member countries through the Asia Zero Emission Center (AZEC) under the principle of ‘one goal, various pathways.’

The workshop featured panel discussions, including a session chaired by ERIA. Ryan Wiratama Bhaskara, Research Associate at ERIA, moderated a discussion on financing CCT and CCS/CCUS, alongside representatives from ACE, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Eninrac Consulting. The session underscored the importance of innovative financial instruments to mitigate risks and enhance investor confidence, thereby encouraging private-sector participation in CCT and CCS/CCUS projects.

Following the panel discussions, participants engaged in small group discussions to develop a roadmap outlining short-, medium-, and long-term strategies for the gradual phase-down of coal in ASEAN.

The workshop concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to increase investment and adoption of CCT and CCS/CCUS. In particular, governments were urged to establish clear regulatory frameworks and policies as a pre-requisite for fostering an enabling environment for coal transition technologies.