The Regional Project Energy Security and Climate Change in Asia-Pacific of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has sponsored six young researchers of different Asian countries to participate in the annual conference of IAEE. The scholarship holders met in advance of the conference to exchange their latest findings.

Dr. Peter Hefele, Director of KAS RECAP, introduces the scope and activities of the Regional Project to the participants.

The researchers presented the challenges for energy politics and economy in their country. Based on the findings, the participants engaged in a vivid discussion about possible solutions.

The student breakfast brought together all young participants of the conference. Dr Peter Hefele addressed some challenges the Asian energy economy is facing.

The six scholars sponsored by RECAP also participated in the breakfast. There were plenty opportunities to broaden their networks and discuss energy issues with fellows from all over the world.

One of the most severe challenges emerging economies in Asia are facing is satisfying their energy demand. Consumption of energy in general and electricity in particular is growing rapidly in most countries of the region. The decision makers are now required to put the development of a sustainable energy supply on the right track. These great tasks are at the core of the largest annual meeting of energy economics, organised by the International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) and hosted this year by the National University of Singapore. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung RECAP is co-financing this impactful four-day conference where several hundred representatives from academia, enterprises and energy suppliers and regulating authorities meet. RECAP has enabled six young researchers from countries across Asia to take part in the conference.

On Sunday, 18 June, RECAP invited the participants to a meeting in advance of the conference. The researchers exchanged ideas and findings of their work. After a short introduction into their respective countries’ energy policy and economics, the young scholars engaged in a vivid discussion on common and different situations and approaches. Scarcity of fossil resources, energy pricing as strategic approach, trans-border grid connection and the various challenges in implementing renewable energies were among the discussed topics.

The 40th annual meeting of IAEE featured nearly 300 presentations of distinct experts and young academics covering all aspects of contemporary energy politics and economics. The lectures dealt with practical examples of challenges and their solutions from all over the world. The participants sponsored by RECAP seized the opportunity to enhance their networks and discuss the state of the art with their fellow experts from other continents. RECAP also co-organised a student breakfast workshop which brought together more than 80 participants and fostered the global academic cooperation among young researchers in energy sciences.