Background
Decision-making in energy infrastructure development in Lower Mekong Countries tend to be highly centralized and are mainly guided by their national Power Development Plans (PDP). These PDPs are typically prepared based on least-cost electricity generation options intended to meet electricity demand forecasted for specific time horizons.
International practices show Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process may help, though some methods are dated. This event will demonstrate how both new and recent IRP methods and GIS data visualizations can be used to significantly avoid negative environmental and social impacts of power projects.
Incorporating IRP principles supported by mapping and visualization of relevant data can ensure that full social and environmental costs and ‘non-traditional’ options, such as demand-side management and renewable energy (RE) are fully integrated into the national PDP. Planning and Integrating comprehensive methods requires a full view of the landscape but results in strengthening sustainable infrastructure development and reducing negative impacts to the people. Furthermore, utilizing recent more robust GIS data augments the IRP process to address power sector resilience to climate change related impacts.
Objectives
This side event aims to educate audiences on how integrated resource planning is being applied to the power sector in Mekong subregion countries to strengthen environmental and social standards through national Power Development Plans in countries like Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. We will also explore how planners, policy-makers, investors and communities can use satellite data layers and open-source visualization tools to integrate environmental, social, and climate-change related considerations into power planning. This event supports technical roadmaps to achieve nationally determined contributions (NDCs), and supports consultations to make the ADB Energy Policy more relevant. It also directly supports finding solutions to several challenges identified in ADB’s 2030 strategy, including supporting climate change adaptation, addressing disaster risk, ensuring social protections for those in need, and accelerating low greenhouse gas emissions development.
Agenda
| Time (Manila) | Activities |
|---|---|
| 08:00-08:05 p.m. | Introduction: Winston K.H. Chow, Chief of Party, USAID Mekong Safeguards. The Asia Foundation. |
| 08:05-08:10 p.m. | Opening Remarks. Amanda Van Den Dool, Energy and Infrastructure Team Lead, USAID Regional Development Mission Asia. |
| 08:10-08:25 p.m. |
Integrated Resource Planning in Renewable Energy Planning in the Mekong Subregion Jason W. Veysey, Stockholm Environment Institute |
| 08:25-08:40 p.m. |
Utilizing the Mekong Infrastructure Tracker in Power Planning Analysis to Address Environmental Impacts Brian Eyler, Director, Southeast Asia Program. Stimson Center |
| 08:40- 08:55 p.m. |
Satellite Data as Decision-making Tools for Infrastructure Planning through Climate-sensitive Challenges. Asian Disaster Preparedness Center. Peeranan Towashiraporn, Chief of Party, SERVIR-Mekong and Amanda Market, NASA's Regional Science Coordination Lead for SERVIR-Mekong |
| 08:55- 09:10 p.m. |
Integrated Resource Planning for Spatial Multi-criteria Analysis Studies in Thailand, and the Transboundary 3S Basin in Vietnam Courtney Weatherby, Deputy Director and Research Analyst. Southeast Asia Program. Stimson Center |
| 09:10- 09:30 p.m. | Q&A |
About Organizers
USAID’s Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID RDMA)
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. USAID’s work safeguards this mission and puts countries on a path to pursue clean energy growth and resilient, low-carbon development. Countries around the world are feeling the effects of climate change, from more intense heat waves, droughts, floods and storms to slower-moving changes like ocean acidification. USAID is sharing world-class knowledge, data and tools to ensure countries can predict, prepare for and adapt to change. USAID also helps countries lay the foundations for sustainable growth powered by clean energy and healthy landscapes.
The Asia Foundation
The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives across a dynamic and developing Asia. Working through our offices in 18 countries and informed by deep local expertise and six decades of experience, the Foundation addresses the critical issues affecting Asia in the 21st century by: strengthening governance, expanding economic opportunity, increasing environmental resilience, empowering women, and promoting international cooperation. In Thailand, the Foundation is implementing the USAID Mekong Safeguards Activity, which aims to (a) minimize negative environmental impacts of infrastructure projects by fostering a more robust and consistent application of environmental, social, and governance standards and (b) encourage decision-makers to avoid unnecessary, harmful infrastructure through smart technologies, system-scale infrastructure planning, and innovations.
Stimson Center
The Stimson Center is a nonpartisan policy research center working to protect people, preserve the planet, and promote security & prosperity. Stimson’s award-winning research services as a roadmap to address borderless threats through concerted action. The Center promotes international security, shared prosperity & justice through applied research and independent analysis, deep engagement, and policy innovation.
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is an autonomous international organization that works to build the resilience of people and institutions to disasters and climate change impacts in Asia and the Pacific. Established in 1986, it provides comprehensive technical services to countries in the region across social and physical sciences to support sustainable solutions for risk reduction and climate resilience. ADPC supports countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific in building their DRR systems, institutional mechanisms and capacities to become resilient to numerous hazards, such as floods, landslides, earthquake, cyclones, droughts, etc.
Stockholm Environment Institute
Stockholm Environment Institute is an international non-profit research and policy organization that tackles environment and development challenges. SEI conducts research and engages with decision-makers and civil society on energy, water, and climate policy as well as on broader dimensions of development, sustainability, and equity. It builds capacity through training and collaboration, and its decision-support tools are used widely around the globe.
Point of Contact
Winston Chow, USAID Mekong Safeguards, The Asia Foundation
Email: Winston.chow@asiafoundation.org
Piyachatr Pradubraj
USAID Mekong Safeguards, The Asia Foundation
Email: Piyachtr.Pradubraj@asiafoundation.org