Meeting Summary

The 12th Meeting of the APEC Expert Group on Energy Data and Analysis (EGEDA) was held on 26 and 27 March 2001 at the Regal Hongkong Hotel, in Hong Kong, China. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Kenichi Matsui. Representatives from Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Peru; the Philippines; Russia; Chinese Taipei; Thailand and United States of America attended the meeting. Representatives from the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC) and the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) were also present. The Chair of the APEC Expert Group on Clean Fossil Energy (EGCFE) and a representative from the International Energy Agency (IEA) also attended the meeting as observers. A list of participants to the meeting is provided in Annex 1.

The meeting commenced with a welcome address by Mr. K. A. Salkeld, Deputy Secretary of the Environment and Food Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

1. APEC Energy Statistics
2. APEC Energy Overview
3. Activities of APERC
4. Future Role and Activities of EGEDA
5. Other Business

Mr. Shigeru Kimura, Deputy General Manager of the Energy Data and Modelling Center, The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, which is the Coordinating Agency (CA) of this Group, reported that the CA collected annual data for 1999 and quarterly data for 2000. He pointed out that there are still problems in data collection in terms of the timing of submissions and the consistency of the data. He urged members to submit consistent data in a timely manner.

The CA's proposal for the periodical collection of detailed power generation data was accepted as proposed. Concerning the proposal on the periodical collection of detailed refinery capacity data, it was agreed that all economies submit the data for operating rate and crude distillation capacity and that those economies that have the data for other items in the proposed table submit them to the CA.

It was agreed that member economies submit official energy-related CO₂ emissions data to the CA for inclusion in the various APEC energy statistics publications. For those economies that do not have these data, the CA's estimates will be used with a note that the data are estimated by the CA.

The meeting agreed to the CA's proposal to add liquefaction of natural gas (LNG) to the definition of the gas processing sector in order to cover member economies that export LNG.

Mr. Kimura presented the Overview of the APEC Energy Situation. He reported that total primary energy supply in the APEC region grew at an average annual rate of 2.3 per cent between 1980 and 1998. Total final energy consumption grew at an average annual rate of 1.9 per cent over the same period. The Coordinating Agency's presentation materials are provided in Annex 2.

Mr. Shiro Konishi, General Manager, APERC, reported on the APEC Energy Overview, the initial trial edition of which was published on the APERC website in November, 2000. The trial edition was judged by the Group to have been successful and to have contributed to meeting the needs of the Energy Working Group for policy relevant information. The Group agreed that the APEC Energy Overview would continue to be produced as a joint activity between APERC and EGEDA. Subsequent editions of the Overview will continue to be published on the APERC website as well as in printed form. The Group, agreed, however, to reduce the proposed number of printed copies to 300.

"APEC Energy Overview 2001" will be produced according to the following timetable:

May-June 2001

Compilation and editing of information;

July-August 2001

Preparation of the draft report;

September 2001

Circulation to member economies for comments;

October 2001

Completion of the final report and publication.

Mr. Keiichi Yokobori, President of APERC, reported on APERC Activities for 2000 and 2001. His report highlighted the research activities on the following projects:

• Energy supply infrastructure in the APEC Region;
• Energy efficiency indicators for APEC economies;
• APEC energy pricing practices: natural gas end-use prices;
• Sustainable energy systems and the emerging importance of new and renewable energy; and
• Making the Clean Development Mechanism workable.

He also proposed new projects consisting of:

• APEC Energy Demand and Supply Outlook;
• Oil security in the APEC Region;
• Natural gas storage in the APEC region;
• Energy efficiency indicators and potential energy savings in APEC economies;
• Emerging energy options in the APEC region; and
• Natural gas utilisation in the industrial sector.

In presenting these project proposals, Mr. Yokobori indicated that the major focus would be placed on updating the APEC Energy Outlook and that other projects would largely support the Outlook.

The Group recognized the importance of basic statistical data for the Outlook and posed a number of questions, including how alternative scenarios could be designed, how policy impacts could be considered, how exogenous variables such as economic growth projections could be provided, how the notion of sustainability would be considered and what modelling approaches could be used. Mr. Yokobori responded that these questions would be studied by experts, including at APERC's mid-year workshop in June and that advice from experts would always be welcome. The Group emphasised the importance of transparency and encouraged the exchange of views between APERC researchers and experts from APEC member economies, where necessary by visits to relevant economies. The Group endorsed the APERC proposal.

Mr. Yokobori also reported on other APERC issues, including the budget and the composition of the research staff.

After discussion the Group recorded its appreciation to APERC for the completion of its research activities and its significant contribution to policy discussion in APEC fora. The Group judged APERC's proposed research projects for 2001/2002 to be appropriate.

Dr. Sun Chun, Chair of the Expert Group on Clean Fossil Energy, who attended the meeting as observer, reported the background of the APEC Energy Security Initiative - an initiative proposed by Energy Ministers at their fourth meeting in San Diego in May 2000. Dr Chun provided a summary of the Seoul Meeting that was held to discuss this initiative on 13-15 March 2001 in Seoul, Korea. He emphasized the importance of timely and consistent oil market data.

EGEDA supports in principle the 'Energy Security Initiative' and recognised the importance of involvement of EGEDA in the oil markets data component of this Initiative. At the same time, there was some uncertainty concerning the scope of the potential data requirement under the Initiative. To better understand the issues involved, EGEDA agreed that the Vice Chair of the Group would represent EGEDA at the meeting on 'Improving Oil Data Transparency' that will be held in Bangkok on 2-3 April 2001. The objective of this attendance is to follow international developments on the issue of timely and consistent oil data collection among international organisations for consideration of potential future involvement by EGEDA. The Vice Chair will report back to EGEDA on the outcomes of the Bangkok meeting. The Group agreed to consider possible involvement on the basis of this report.

The Group agreed to request US$ 27,000 from the APEC Central Fund for 2002/2003 for the publication of 'APEC Energy Statistics', 'Handbook of APEC Energy Statistics', 'APEC Energy Overview' and to produce and distribute APEC Energy Statistics on CD-ROM. The number of hard cover publications and CD-ROMs was reduced from the previous number of 500 to 300. The Chair sought co-sponsorship of this activity from all member economies present at the meeting. Those economies that do not wish to comply with this request are required to inform the Chair by 3 April 2001. This was accepted by the Group.

The Group agreed that interaction and liaison with other Expert Groups should be pursued and that participation of EGEDA members at the meetings and activities of other Expert Groups should be encouraged. The Chair agreed to follow up this suggestion with the Chairs of other Expert Groups at the coming Chairs' Meeting to be held in conjunction with the Energy Working Group Meeting in Kuala Lumpur in May 2001.

The Group adopted the Terms of Reference for a Review of APERC. The Review will take place in June 2001 and will be conducted by a team of EGEDA and EWG representatives under the chairmanship of the Vice Chair of EGEDA. The report of the review team will be presented to the Energy Working Group at its meeting in the second half of 2001.

The Group expressed its thanks to the Coordinating Agency for its excellent work in producing the APEC energy data publications.

Chinese Taipei would like to host the 13th Meeting of this Group in March 2002. The Group welcomed this offer.

Lastly, Mr. Roger S. H. Lai, Director of the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, made a closing address. The Chairman expressed his appreciation to the Government of Hong Kong, China for excellently hosting the Meeting on behalf of all participants.