CLASP and the World Bank hosted the Launch Workshop on Opportunities for Higher Energy Efficient, Lower-Global Warming Potential Room Air-conditioning in the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam on May 7^th and 8^th in Bangkok, Thailand.

CLASP is working regionally with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and nationally in Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, to increase the market share of high-efficiency, low global warming potential space cooling and refrigeration appliances, through targeted policy and market interventions.

The launch workshop opened with remarks from Mongkol Pruekwatana, Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Industrial Works (DIW) and Somchai Stakulcharoen, Director of the Biofuel Development Bureau and Acting Deputy Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE).

Presenters from CLASP, the World Bank, and the International Institute for Energy Conservation explored the current state of cooling policy in Southeast Asia, the link between energy efficiency and the HFC phase-out, and standards and labeling policies and compliance schemes. The latter half of the workshop featured panel discussions and roundtable conversations with representatives from government, local manufacturers, and energy efficiency test labs, who discussed the challenges they face and opportunities for implementing a market transition to low-GWP refrigerants.

In attendance were government representatives from Thailand’s DEDE, DIW and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Philippines’ Department of Energy and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as representatives from local AC manufacturers, test labs, and industry groups. Ministry representatives from the three countries expressed enthusiasm about the new, collaborative program.

A World Bank technology transfer program will allow the target countries to adopt more stringent minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), without sacrificing the competitiveness of local manufacturers. The program will assist 15 residential AC manufacturers in Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines in developing their own inverter technology based on low or lower GWP alternative refrigerants. Each country is asked to commit to a 20% increase in MEPS stringency for room ACs, provided that at least 30% of the local manufacturers participating in the project are capable and ready to adopt the new inverter AC technology.

CLASP’s K-CEP Southeast Asia Cooling Program is supported by ClimateWorks Foundation and the Heising-Simons Foundation. CLASP’s work in the three countries will include comprehensive advisory support to raise efficiency standards, improve testing efforts, and provide training and other capacity building activities. CLASP is also working with local partners to develop comprehensive AC market assessments and evaluate the potential impact of increased MEPS. At the regional level, CLASP will build upon the ASEAN SHINE efforts to harmonize energy efficiency testing standards, by providing support for a regional compliance program.