Meeting Summary

The 10th Meeting of the APEC Expert Group on Energy Data and Outlook was held on 9 and 10th March 1999 at the Riverview Hotel, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, chaired by Mr. Kenichi Matsui. Participants came from Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; Vietnam; ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE); the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC); and the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The meeting started with the welcome address of Mr. Haji Zakaria bin Haji Abd Latif, Director of Department of Electrical Services, Brunei Darussalam. The meeting had the following three main discussion items.

1. Current Status of the APEC Energy Database
2. Activities of the APERC
3. Future Role of the Expert Group

Mr. Shigeru Kimura, senior researcher of the Energy Data and Modelling Center, Coordinating Agency (CA) of this Group reported that the CA collected annual data for 1997 and quarterly data for 1998. He pointed out that there are still problems in data collection in terms of timing of submission and consistency of the data. He urged members to submit consistent data in a timely way. He explained also the current status of the APEC Energy Network from the aspects of both the database and the Internet.

Mr. Kimura then presented the Overview of the APEC Energy Situation. He mentioned that Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) in the APEC Region grew 4.0% and Total Energy Final Consumption (TFEC) grew 3.5% in 1996. Results of the survey carried out in 1998 concerning the collection of quarterly data was reported and after discussion it was agreed to continue to collect the quarterly data but using a simplified data collection format.

The CA proposed to change the names of the rows for the electricity sector in the Data Collection Format, which are currently shown as "National, Public Utilities" and "Private, Auto-Generation", since this classification caused confusion. After discussion it was agreed to use the terms "Public Generation" and "Auto-Generation" respectively with footnotes making clear the meaning.

The CA proposed to continue to update the data for energy demand by detailed sectors and energy prices. The proposal for energy demand by detailed sectors was accepted by the Group with the condition that it be reviewed after two years operation. The proposal for energy prices was accepted as it is.

The CA distributed copies of CD of the APEC Energy Data Analysis tool.

Mr. Yokobori, President of the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre, reported its activities in 1998/1999 and the budget for 1999. He also described the proposed change in Allowance for the Visiting Researchers and the establishment of an Advisory Board to the Centre. Finally, he reported the EWG's decision on the role of the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (available on APEC EWG website) and APERC research activities relationship to various APEC EWG activities. The Expert Group noted that the 16th EWG Meeting approved establishing an Advisory Board for APERC. Clarification of the role of the Advisory Board was requested by several Expert Group members. Mr. Yokobori prepared a draft of the terms reference of this Board as attached and it was accepted by the Expert Group.

Other APERC researchers introduced the status of the ongoing APERC's research projects. Dr. Ji-Chul Ryu, Vice President of APERC, first reported on the update of APEC Regional Energy Demand and Supply Outlook. This Outlook supported the policy discussion in Okinawa Ministers Meeting in October last year. He then reported on the interim report on the energy pricing practices project. Dr. Jung-Hua Wu, researcher, presented the interim reports on energy efficiency indicators for industry and emergency oil stocks and APEC energy security. Mr. Abdul Yaman, researcher, presented the interim reports on electric sector deregulation and power grid interconnection. Dr. Ji-Chul Ryu presented the interim report on natural gas infrastructure development in East Asia. The Group highly appreciated the completion of the Energy Outlook and its significant contribution to the policy discussion in the APEC Fora. The meeting appreciated also the production of the interim reports of the 6 research projects and establishing the APEC wide research network through organizing workshops, seminars and others.

At the same time, suggestions were made for more focus on specific items, more clarified definition of the terms used (such as deregulation and privatisation), data base development for energy pricing practices, efficiency indicators, expansion of scope of studies (mining, transportation in energy efficiency), prioritisation of the scope of studies, exploration of factors for energy efficiency, more selective approach (in term of sector or economy), consideration of relations with other expert groups and incorporation of the results of the studies into the new outlook.

Mr. Yokobori thanked members for the comments provided and requested comments to be provided in written form by end of March. He also clarified that the six research studies are preliminary at this stage. He urged members to encourage the extended stay of visiting researchers as longer attachments promoted the effectiveness of APERC's studies.

Lastly the meeting discussed and judged as appropriate the proposal of the APERC's research projects for 1999/2000 namely: continuation of 6 ongoing projects plus APERC's contribution to the APEC Trade and Investment Liberalisation Fund (TILF) project and one more possible topic relating to environmental issue. Mr. Yokobori asked the members of the EGEDO to send their views on possible topics relating to environmental issues to the APERC by the end of May. APERC will prepare a specific environment related research proposal based on comments or advices received and circulate it to the EGEDO members through the Chair for comments.

The Group discussed the future role of the EGEDO in the framework of the terms of reference decided upon by the APEC EWG. It noted the APEC EWG's ongoing program of evaluation of all energy groups and the importance of being able to provide a clear justification of the Expert Group's role and of the effectiveness of its performance of that role.

The Expert Group agreed that development and improvement of the Database, the original core task of EGEDO, continues to have a high priority. The APEC Energy Database provides basic information for APERC's research and for policy discussion in all APEC Energy Fora. To maintain the Database requires the face-to-face communication that is provided by the Expert Group's meetings as well as electronic communication between the CA and Expert Group members between meetings. The EGEDO is therefore indispensable for the continuation of this activity. It was agreed that the Expert Group should prepare an evaluation of the benefits of the APEC Energy Database relative to those of the IEA and other relevant international bodies. The Expert Group supported the planned meeting at the IEA in November this year between these bodies to discuss standardization of data categories and the complementarity of their data collection efforts.

It was also agreed that the Expert Group provides the most appropriate APEC body for reviewing the research and outlook activities of APERC. In discussion, a number of suggestions were made about how to improve the way in which the EGEDO performs this role and how to enhance the policy focus and quality of APERC's research and outlook. The meeting also considered the possibility of the Expert Group or APERC producing "Issues Briefs" on issues of topical interest. It was agreed that this could be a useful service but that more discussion was required before a decision could be taken. It was therefore decided to defer further consideration of the matter until the next meeting.

For better communication between EGEDO and APERC, it was suggested that APERC produce "Summary Periodicals" and make more frequent contact with EGEDO members to inform them of the development of the research activities.

It was agreed that the EWG should add a new objective to the EGEDO's Terms of Reference, that is to offer advice to member economies that need help in establishing, collecting, collating and updating the Energy Database.

Finally, it was agreed to recommend to the EWG that it change the name of this Group to the "Expert Group on Energy Data and Analysis" as this name better reflected its current responsibilities and activities.

Mr. Louis DeMouy, USA, presented the APEC Energy Data Exchange page of the US Energy Information Administration. Members found that it provided significant value as an information source and that members should be encouraged to visit the page and to send comments to the EIA.

The meeting agreed to ask the APEC Central Fund for US$ 20,000 for 2000/2001 for publication of the "APEC Energy Statistics and one additional handy overview brochure to publicize "APEC Energy Statistics".

The meeting agreed unanimously that Mr. Kenichi Matsui should continue to be chairman of the Group.

It was announced that Papua New Guinea will host the 11th Meeting of this Group around the same time of this Meeting next year.

Lastly on behalf of all participants Chairman expressed his appreciation to the Government of Brunei Darussalam for excellently hosting the Meeting.

Attached: APERC Advisory Board, Terms of Reference

Summary Record of the Sixteenth Meeting of APEC Energy Working Group (Cairns, Australia 11th to 13th August 1998) States under Agenda item 9 Secretariat Report:

"Mr. Yokobori, President of APERC, took the opportunity to inform members of this plans to establish an advisory group of research institution of assist APERC in its research program. Mr. Yokobori said that APERC would give due regard to regional balance in composition of the group. The group would be chaired by the chairman of the Expert Group on Energy Data and Outlook".

Action Arising / Next Step (Excerpt)

"Members supported the establishment of the advisory group"

• The Advisory Board is a group of representatives of major research institutions located in the APEC region to facilitate APERC to conduct cooperative research studies.
• Its primary role is to give professional advice on the on-going and proposed research of the APERC with respect to the issues to be covered such as databases, information sources, relevant experts to be involved, methodologies and approaches.
• APERC will carefully consider the advice provided by its members in proposing its research plan to EGEDO and eventually to EWG.
• The views and suggestions expressed by the Advisory Board will remain anonymous. However, the suggestions emerging from the Advisory Board should be circulated for information to the member of the EGEDO.