As the world’s fastest growing economic region, Asia Pacific is witnessing increasing urbanization, rising population and with it, huge energy demands.

With Asia Pacific accounting for more than half of global energy consumption, and with 10% of the population still lacking access to basic electricity, the question is how to bridge into an affordable, reliable and sustainable power supply, while improving energy access.

Rapid innovation has resulted in falling prices of existing renewables and development of new renewable energy power system that can drive long-term sustainability for the energy system in the region.

Governments can contribute with policies and regulations driving this change, and the industry can translate emerging business strategies into practical business models, as well as drive technological innovations.

This session will:
- Outline ongoing efforts to accelerate the energy transition in Asia Pacific through national policy and recovery strategies
- Inspire other governments to undergo similar actions
- Enable political and technical framework to reduce future demand through energy efficiency and increasing share of renewable energy into the remainder.

Oceans have vast renewable energy potential, which is largely untapped. Offshore renewables can contribute to the decarbonization of the power sector, ensuring energy security for small island developing countries (SIDS) and contributing to achieve the Paris agreement. In addition, offshore renewables are a key component of the blue economy, providing significant socio-economic opportunities through job creation, enhancing livelihood, local value chains and synergies among blue economy actors.

Offshore renewable energy technologies include:
- Offshore wind
- Ocean energy -tidal, wave, ocean thermal and salinity gradient
- Floating PV on sea water
Among those technologies, this session will focus on two technologies:

Ocean energy technologies
Most of the ocean energy technologies are in development stage with different technology readiness level. Tidal range is the only technology that has reached commercial scale with two large installations in France and Republic of Korea. Various wave energy concepts are gaining attention however, its deployment is in demonstration and pilot phase.
Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is still in the research and development (R&D) phase. Kiribati is planning to deploy 1MW, the largest OTEC plant globally, with support from the Republic of Korea. This plant is expected to generate multiple co-benefits other than energy generation like desalination, aquaculture and cooling.

Floating Solar Photo Voltaic (FPV)
Floating solar PV is emerging rapidly worldwide, with an installed capacity of 1.1 GW in 2018. While most of the installed capacity is on freshwater reservoirs, recently there is more attention given to installations on sea water. FPV installation is highly dominated by the Asia Pacific region with world’s top ten largest FPV installed in Asian countries.
This event on offshore renewables will bring together experts, policymakers, industries and the private sector to discuss the current status and future opportunities of these technologies in the region. Experts will also discuss the technological, organizational, and collaboration needs for the development and deployment of these technologies.

05'   Intro by moderator
        Francisco Boshell, IRENA

05'   Opening remarks 
        Mareer Mohamed Husny, Vice Chair, Technology Executive Committee 

10'   Setting the scene
        Purnima Jalihal, NIOT and Vice Chair, Ex.Com Ocean Energy Systems (OES) Technology Collaboration Program (TCP) under IEA

60'    Moderated panel discussion
          In this session, the panelist will discuss the status of play of offshore renewables (Ocean energy and      floating solar photovoltaic) in the region. Panelist will elaborate on social, institutional, economic and business challenges and solutions related to their effective deployment.

          Panelists:
          Phaedora Harris, Project Manager, Department of Climate Change and National Resilience, Nauru
          Nadia Febina, Founder & CEO, Lumare Energi
          Mary Ann Quirapas Franco, Research Fellow, National University of Singapore
          Minh Khoi Le, Senior Research Analyst – Renewable Energy, Rystad Energy AS

15'     Wrap up and closing 
          Francisco Boshell, IRENA
         
          Summary Report

5'     Intro by moderator
        Elizabeth Press, Director of Planning and Programme Support, IRENA 

10'   Framing remarks
        Gonzalo Muñoz, High-Level Champion of the COP 25 Presidency of Chile
        Stephen Minas, Chair, Technology Executive Committee
         
45'   DEEP-DIVE DISCUSSIONS
         Deep-dive discussions will cover two topic areas: 
         • Green Hydrogen production (the supply-side)
         • Green Hydrogen end-use sector (the demand-side)

       Contributors:
         Joseph Tay, Deputy Director, Strategic Issues, National Climate Change Secretariat, Strategy Group,                 Prime Minister's Office, Singapore 
         Alli Devlin, University of Oxford, Systems Engineering, Youth Non-Governmental Organisation                         (YOUNGO)
         Frank Wouters, Chairman, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Hydrogen Alliance 
         Chris Bataille, Associate Researcher, Institute for Sustainable Development and International                           Relations
         Hyung-chul Lee, Director, Hydrogen Business Department, POSCO 

15'   Wrap up and closing 
         Elizabeth Press, Director of Planning and Programme Support, IRENA

        Summary Report