Photo 1. Group photo of EE&C-SSN Working Group on Appliances participants
Jakarta, 9 March 2026 — The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) convened the 3rd Meeting of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Sub-Sector Network (EE&C-SSN) Working Group on Appliances in Jakarta, Indonesia. Representatives from eleven ASEAN Member States (AMS), the United Nations Environment Programme – United for Efficiency (UNEP-U4E), and ACE gathered both in-person and online to deliberate on progress, plans, and challenges in the appliances sector, aligned with Programme Area No. 4 - Energy Efficiency & Conservation (EE&C) of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC).
Photo 2. Naing Naing Linn, Manager of the EE&C Department of ACE (left) and Dr Supachai Sampao, Chief of Energy Efficiency Standard and Conservation Group, Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) Thailand, also serving as Chair of Working Group on Appliances (right).
Photo 3. Yudiandra Yuwono, Senior Energy Modeller of MPP Department, ACE.
The first session provided an overview of the landscape of energy efficient appliances in ASEAN, delivered by Yudiandra Yuwono, Senior Energy Modeller of the Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) Department. He presented key market trends, policy progress, and remaining implementation challenges across ASEAN Member States. He also highlighted the need to strengthen enforcement, affordability, and regional policy coordination to scale up energy savings and support rising cooling demand.
The Meeting continued with an overview of the APAEC Phase II: 2021-2025 and plan for the APAEC 2026-2030 for the appliances sector, delivered by Naing Naing Linn. As the new cycle of the APAEC is now in its first implementation year, she emphasised that this phase would prioritise stronger regional harmonisation of efficiency standards, increased private sector and financial institution participation, and further scaling of energy-efficient technologies across ASEAN markets.
Photo 4. Cahyo Adisaputro, Senior Officer of the EE&C Department, ACE (left) and Irma Ramadan, Senior Officer of EE&C Department, ACE (right).
Cahyo Adisaputro, Senior Officer of the EE&C Department at ACE, presented the progress of air conditioner energy efficiency harmonisation under the APAEC Phase II: 2021-2025 and plans for the APAEC 2026-2030. Following the presentation, AMS shared their countries’ progress in harmonisation of standards. The discussion noted that the high price of high-efficiency RACs remains a key barrier to adoption, and highlighted financing mechanisms such as on-bill financing, green public procurement, and energy savings insurance as tools to encourage the adoption of high-efficient AC.
The session continued with a presentation from Irma Ramadan, Senior Officer of EE&C Department, ACE, who delivered an overview of ASEAN’s Lighting Milestones under the APAEC Phase II: 2021-2025 and APAEC 2026-2030. The Meeting noted that eight (8) AMS have officially adopted national lighting roadmaps and that key regional milestones have been achieved, including successful Round Robin Testing (RRT) across 29 accredited laboratories and the launch of the Regional Product Registration System. Participants highlighted the need for further strengthening for regional MEPS for lighting and more technical assistance required to address laboratory disparities in AMS.
Photo 5. Dan Resky Valeriz, Officer of EE&C Department, ACE (left) and Rizky Aditya Putra, Programme Manager of the Asia Low-Carbon Buildings Transition (ALCBT) Programme (right).
Dan Rezki Valeriz, Officer of EE&C Department, ACE, presented on ASEAN’s Refrigerator Milestones under APAEC Phase II: 2021-2025 and plan for APAEC 2026-2030. He highlighted the need to harmonise standards and test methods, strengthen regional collaboration, and support data collection for the Regional Policy Roadmap on Energy Efficient Household Refrigerators.
Rizky Aditya Putra, Programme Manager of the Asia Low-Carbon Buildings Transition (ALCBT) Programme, presented progress on the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) and plans under APAEC 2026–2030, including the operationalisation of its energy efficiency component The Meeting noted the importance of acceptance of foreign test reports to address uneven testing capacity across ASEAN and tasked ACE to develop the implementation arrangements, initiate the nomination of national designated bodies, and coordinate with relevant ASEAN bodies.
Photo 6. (Top left to right) Afham Kilmi, Officer of MPP Department, ACE, and Rio Jon Piter Silitonga, Senior Officer of EE&C Department, ACE.
(Bottom left to right) Saikiran Kasamsetty of UNEP-U4E and Mutiara Ramadhani Nur Irbah of the ASEAN Secretariat.
Afham Kilmi, Officer of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) Department, ACE, presented on data collection for the 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO9), covering AEO9’s modelling structure. In the residential sector, the modelling will involve a detailed technology breakdown by appliance type, including air conditioning, refrigerators, and lighting. The meeting noted ongoing data gaps, particularly on appliance stock, sales, and efficiency, and requested AMS to support data validation or allow the temporary use of third-party datasets for the September 2026 publication.
Rio Jon Piter Silitonga, Senior Officer of the EE&C Department, ACE, presented on ongoing projects and developments of appliance activities. He provided an update on regional cooling initiatives with UNEP and GIZ. The Meeting noted the next steps, including finalising the action plan, clarifying the Steering Committee composition, and prioritising technologies for phased implementation.
Saikiran Kasamsetty of UNEP-U4E presented on proposed cooperation with ASEAN in advancing cooling strategy. He proposed the ASEAN Cool Strategy for 2026–2027 which aims to address rapidly rising cooling demand in the region, highlighting the need for stronger regional governance, technical support, and closer alignment of MEPS for room air conditioners and residential refrigerators. During the discussion, participants noted key barriers to harmonisation and the planned establishment of a dedicated task force with ACE to support political alignment, knowledge exchange, and follow-up actions across AMS.
Mutiara Ramadhani Nur Irbah of the ASEAN Secretariat briefed the meeting on available funding mechanisms and partnerships to support energy-efficiency initiatives in ASEAN, including major trust funds, external grants, and opportunities through dialogue partners.
Photo 7. Mardika Firlina, Officer of EE&C Department, ACE (left) and Dr Supachai Sampao (right).
To wrap up the meeting, Mardika Firlina, Officer of EE&C Department, ACE, provided a summary of the discussion. Dr Supachai Sampao delivered closing remarks, highlighting the valuable discussions and updates provided by the AMS representatives. He further emphasised that the meeting‘s outcomes will play an important role in advancing regional cooperation on energy efficiency.
Photo 8. Representatives from ASEAN Member States providing comments during the Working Group on Appliances meeting.
Moving forward, ACE will continue to coordinate with AMS in implementing the energy efficiency initiatives under the APAEC 2026-2060. This includes advancing regional harmonisation of appliance energy efficiency standards, strengthening implementation of the MRA, and supporting the wider adoption of energy-efficient appliance across the region.
