Photo 1. Group photo of the PSC Meeting attendees.
Jakarta,
7 May 2026 — The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) has convened
the Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting of the Enhancement of Clean Energy
Technology Ecosystem and Its Connectivity in ASEAN in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 7
May 2026. Supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), the meeting
aimed to update members on the progress of project implementation and
deliberate strategic directions for the project’s next phase.
The meeting gathered the PSC members, comprised of representatives from X ASEAN Member States both in-person and online, namely Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Timor-Leste. Representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Japan, the project management unit (PMU) from ACE, UNIDO, and the ASEAN Secretariat were also in attendance.
Photo 2. Norazrin Supadi, Deputy Director of
Energy Efficiency & Conservation Regulatory Section, Energy
Commission Malaysia and Chair of the Working Group on Industry.
Norazrin Supadi, Deputy Director of Energy Efficiency & Conservation Regulatory Section, Energy Commission Malaysia and Chair of the Working Group on Industry, delivered opening remarks on behalf of Ir. Ts. Zulkiflee Umar, Director Technical, Policy & Regulation Division, Energy Commission of Malaysia as the Chair of the PSC. He highlighted the he importance of strengthening ASEAN’s clean energy ecosystem as the region faces growing energy and climate challenges. Furthermore, he also mentioned the important role of Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), startups, and innovators in supporting the clean energy transition, while stressing the need for stronger regional cooperation and practical follow-up actions to support long-term sustainable development across ASEAN.
Photo 3. Saito
Mizuki, First Secretary of the
Mission of Japan to ASEAN, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, as the
Co-Chair of the PSC.
Saito
Mizuki, First Secretary
of the Mission of Japan to ASEAN, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, as the
Co-Chair of the PSC, also delivered remarks. She highlighted the growing
importance of clean technology startups and innovators amid evolving global and
energy challenges. She also expressed her hopes for fruitful discussions among
ASEAN Member States on how the project’s outcomes and lessons learned can
continue to support the region’s clean energy transition moving forward.
Irma Ramadan, Senior Officer of Energy Efficiency & Conservation (EE&C) Department, presented the project implementation progress to the PSC members. She outlined the project’s outputs and deliverables, which included the ASEAN Accelerator Programme, the Cleantech Innovation Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (CIEE) Policy Enhancement, and Network Development.
Photo 4. Irma Ramadan, Senior Officer of EE&C
Department, ACE.
Irma
noted the success of the ASEAN Accelerator
Programme through ASEAN Sparks, a comprehensive programme
designed to accelerate the growth of MSMEs and startups in clean energy and
climate technology innovation across ASEAN. The Ignite phase received
a total of 138 applicants. The 40 selected startups participated in a four-day
online bootcamp to refine their foundational knowledge. In the Catalyse
phase, 40 out of 152 applicants were selected to join the 3-month programme which
wrapped up with the Final Pitching event at the 25th ASEAN Energy
Business Forum (AEBF-25). Meanwhile, the Elevate phase provided the top
eight startups the opportunity to showcase their businesses and pitch their
innovations at the Sustainable
High City Tech (SusHi Tech) Tokyo 2026 in Japan.
Among the startups, Qarbotech was awarded the SusHi Tech Tokyo
2026 Challenge Grand Prize, beating 17 other semi-finalists. Meanwhile, Agro Agape, Chosen Digital and Alterno
signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) to advance their business strategies
and outreach. Closing the Elevate phase, a pitching and business matchmaking
event was organised to connect the startups with industry partners.
On
the CIEE Policy Enhancement, Irma noted the successful launch of the CIEE analysis paper,
which outlines the role of cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship in addressing
climate change and advancing clean energy transition in ASEAN. Complementing
the report, a two-day capacity building workshop was organised by ACE to explore
AMS’ national progress and challenges in advancing cleantech. Discussions on
policy frameworks, financial mechanisms, and further efforts to support CIEE
implementation were also conducted.
On Network Development, the programme has succeeded through several activities, namely participation in the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) Annual Forum, knowledge exchange with Japanese industrial partners, organising the ASEAN Cleantech Forum to highlight gender-responsive cleantech policies, and establishing a web-based platform for ecosystem players to promote collaboration.
Photo 5. ASEAN Member States during the discussion.
Photo
6. Dr Noboru Zama of UNIDO (left) and Septia
Buntara Supendi of ASEC, during the discussion
Led by Norazrin, the meeting gathered input from the PSC members regarding the implementation progress. Discussions mainly focused on the long-term sustainability and impact of the ASEAN SPARKS programme, particularly in supporting the growth of clean energy startups across the region. Irma highlighted that ASEAN SPARKS Elevate at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 provided startups with a clearer vision for business development, while also helping them expand networks and establish partnerships with Japanese startups and industry players. Members also discussed the importance of collecting participant feedback and identifying the programme’s benefits and potential business growth to further strengthen and expand the initiative in the future.
Photo
7. Zahra Aninda Pradiva, Junior Officer of
EE&C, ACE.
Moving
on to the next agenda, Zahra Aninda Pradiva, Junior Officer of EE&C,
ACE, briefed the meeting on the remaining activities and future pathways of the
project. She shared updates on the development of the gender-responsive AMS
CIEE policy and regulatory recommendation report, which is expected to be
finalised by the end of May 2026. The report draws on findings from the CIEE analysis
paper, stakeholder consultations, and insights gathered
through the ASEAN SPARKS accelerator programme, including challenges faced by
startups in areas such as financing access, market entry, and ecosystem
support.
Zahra
also highlighted the upcoming gender-responsive regional forum aimed at
strengthening AMS’ clean energy innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem,
which will bring together startups, policymakers, financial institutions, and
industry players to discuss inclusive policies and regional collaboration.
Looking
ahead, the meeting concluded with several future pathways for the project,
including strengthening regional policy uptake, supporting market access for
cleantech startups, and sustaining the ecosystem through continued regional
partnerships, knowledge sharing, and entrepreneurship programmes under APAEC
2026-2030.
Click
here to
learn more about the ASEAN Accelerator programme.
