The promotion of renewable energy, clean fuels and energy efficiency development will increase the use of low-carbon resources and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. This will in turn enhance access to modern energy, contribute to climate change mitigation, improve energy supply security, and promote public-private partnerships in energy development.


It is within this context that the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries (Cambodia China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam) adopted the Road Map for Expanded Cooperation in the Energy Sector during the 15th GMS Ministerial Conference in June 2009.


To realize this plan, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has assigned Lahmeyer International as lead consultant for technical support. The Technical Assistance (TA) project is titled Promoting Renewable Energy, Clean Fuels and Energy Efficiency in the Greater Mekong Subregion and began in August 2011.


The project aims to provide direct support as well as to reinforce the GMS countries’ climate change mitigation efforts through investment facilitation and transfer of sustainable and environmentally friendly energy supply options. In addition to this, the TA project supports sustainable economic growth, which is the core strategic area of ADB’s Strategy 2020, and complements all the crosscutting themes such as promoting the role of the private sector in development, supporting regional cooperation and integration for development, and addressing environmental sustainability.


In September 2011, AIT Consulting was requested to assist in the TA project under the leadership of Prof. Sivanappan Kumar, one of the project lead researcher and experts. Prof. Sivanappan Kumar is a Renewable Energy Specialist and a Professor at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).


The Project activities already carried out by AIT Consulting include a review of knowledge centers of the GMS and a comparative analysis of international experiences in promoting RE, EE, and CFs. The next steps, to be carried out before March 2012, include the review of past studies in the GMS, estimation of quantitative benefits and review of performance target.