Paper Title
ASEAN Energy Center’s Role on Energy Cooperation in Southeast Asia: Institutional Analysis
Abstract
The progress of regional cooperation in Southeast Asia is integral with the establishment of regionalism, mainly through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In the sector of energy, the ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE) was established as a specialized body under ASEAN with its role to accelerate the progress of energy cooperation in the region in regards to the contemporary energy challenges. This research is done with the purpose of assessing to which extent the said institution could be effective in realizing energy cooperation in Southeast Asia, especially on the aspect of renewable energy.
By considering the organization as a part of Epistemic Community that has authoritative claims on domestic policy and relevant issues, on this case, energy sector, ASEAN Center for Energy has facilitated the process of energy cooperation through a variety of avenues. Among all, the establishment of ASEAN Plan for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) that covers multiple aspects of key issues regarding energy such as renewable energy through the RE-SSN (Renewable Energy Sub-Sector Network). In addition, ASEAN Center for Energy acts as a monitoring agent of the plan’s progress by providing regular tracking and evaluation that will be addressed in the annual AMEM (ASEAN Ministers of Energy Meeting) and SOME (Senior Officials Meetings on Energy) as well as having dialogue partners with variety of expertise groups, including International Energy Agency (IEA).
Keywords - Southeast Asia, Cooperation, Energy, Epistemic Community