Energy access and security
Energy access is an important issue for the least developing Asian economies, which has a significant proportion of the population without access to modern energy resources, such as electricity, liquid and gaseous fuels. The disparity is more when cities and rural areas are concerned. Furthermore, lack of access to modern fuels also results in inefficient use of resources, namely, biomass, leading to socio-health and economic impacts. Research in this sub thematic area is on how to improve access through technology and policy measures, compiling lessons learned, and coordinating with international networks to promote energy access. As fossil resources get depleted and along with it, its prices increase, nations are rightly concerned on the import bill, and supply of fossil resources to provide the necessary energy supply to fuel the country’s growth. Energy security, therefore, is a grave concern to policy makers. Research in this area includes studies on energy security indicators, policies that reduce vulnerability to energy security, and implications of the policies to energy security and GHG mitigation.
