As demand for energy increases in Asia Pacific, governments across the region intensify efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and instead are searching for renewable energy sources.
Among the renewable energy sources, solar power seems to be the brightest star at the three-day Clean Energy Expo Asia 2012 in Bangkok.
“Solar power is the future of energy. The sun shines every day from morning till night…I have been developing solar power in Thailand for the last three years,” said Wandee Khunchornyakong, chairwoman and CEO of SPCG Public Company Limited.
She explained that the company has focused on building six megawatt solar power plants in the north and east of Thailand, which has abundant sunshine.
“Asia is rapidly establishing robust energy policies to drive the future of clean energy in the region,” said Michael Dreyer, Vice President of Koelnmesse Asia Pacific, one of the world’s largest trade fair companies.
“As Asia’s energy demand persists, there is an urgent need for industry to take active steps to accelerate the progress of clean energy innovation to ensure its place as a viable alternative energy source,” he added.
Dreyer said that staging the expo in Thailand would bring other participants closer to the opportunities in these markets.
ADB director general regional and sustainable development department, S Chander, said in his opening speech at the expo on Wednesday that clean energy technology could pave the way to low carbon production.
“It enables Asia to decouple economic growth from increased greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
Earlier this year, the Pew Charitable Trust revealed that the clean energy market in Asia and Oceania had US$75 billion invested in it.
The expo features nearly 100 exhibitors from 16 countries, including Indonesia, and ends on Friday.
