26 March 2010
NTS Alert (Mar 2010 – Issue 2)
Abstract
This NTS Alert conducts a brief survey of renewable energy (RE) policy frameworks among five selected East Asian countries — China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. There appears to be agreement among East Asian countries on the importance of alternative energy as a solution in addressing the energy-economics-environment nexus. National efforts have been undertaken in recent times to tap these underutilised resources, in part due to the possible recognition that other alternative sources, nuclear power especially, are politically and economically riskier. While earlier energy policies in these five nations were plagued by technical and financial barriers, concerted efforts have been undertaken by these governments to overcome them. However, the effectiveness of these policy revisions remains to be seen. Moreover, notwithstanding better policy frameworks, certain RE technologies might be better suited to some countries than others, thus careful national planning is necessary to evaluate the feasibility of every available RE source, prior to exploitation.
Abstract
This NTS Alert conducts a brief survey of renewable energy (RE) policy frameworks among five selected East Asian countries — China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. There appears to be agreement among East Asian countries on the importance of alternative energy as a solution in addressing the energy-economics-environment nexus. National efforts have been undertaken in recent times to tap these underutilised resources, in part due to the possible recognition that other alternative sources, nuclear power especially, are politically and economically riskier. While earlier energy policies in these five nations were plagued by technical and financial barriers, concerted efforts have been undertaken by these governments to overcome them. However, the effectiveness of these policy revisions remains to be seen. Moreover, notwithstanding better policy frameworks, certain RE technologies might be better suited to some countries than others, thus careful national planning is necessary to evaluate the feasibility of every available RE source, prior to exploitation.
