U.S. Participation in the Lower Mekong Initiative Clean Energy Business Delegation 2015

The United States organized a Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Renewable and Clean Energy Business Delegation, June 15-16, in Manila, Philippines, on the margins of the Asia Development Bank’s Asia Clean Energy Forum 2015. 

Discussions focused on how U.S. firms and technology can support clean energy solutions and promote energy security in the Mekong sub-region, bringing together U.S. renewable and clean energy companies and energy officials from Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Electricity demand in Southeast Asia is forecast to grow by nearly four percent annually through 2040, with energy consumption among the five LMI countries continuing to rise dramatically.  Renewable and cleaner energy can help stabilize budgets, reduce energy imports, and lower carbon emissions in the region.

The event’s panel discussions included the role of clean energy and renewables in meeting regional needs, solar power and wind energy, biomass, energy efficiency and viable power grids, and available U.S. Government and private sector financial support for renewable energy investment.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Diplomacy Robin Dunnigan led the U.S. Government delegation, which included U.S. Ambassador Robert M. Orr, U.S. executive director at the ADB, and clean energy and financing experts from the Department of State, USAID, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and U.S. Trade and Development Agency as speakers and panelists.  U.S. private sector panelists included representatives from major U.S. clean and renewable energy firms, such as General Electric, AES Corporation, SunEdison, Black & Veatch, and Caterpillar. 

U.S. Participation in the Lower Mekong Initiative Clean Energy Business Delegation 2015

19/6/15