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Dr. Han Phoumin is a Senior Energy Economist at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) (Indonesia). He has more than 20 years of experience working at various international and intergovernmental organizations and multidisciplinary research consortiums related to the energy market and technology, environment, integrated water resources management, governance, and economic development in the region of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asia. He specializes in economic development and policy and applied econometrics. Over the past 10 years, much of his career has involved the power sector, including sustainable hydropower development, renewable energy research, energy efficiency, clean coal technology, energy security, and energy demand and supply forecasting.
Many players have supported infrastructure development in the Mekong Subregion, bridging the missing links in Southeast Asia. While the influx of energy-related infrastructure development investments to the region has improved the livelihoods of millions of people on the one hand, it has brought about a myriad of challenges to the wider region in guiding investments for quality infrastructure and for promoting a low-carbon economy, and energy access and affordability, on the other hand. Besides reviewing key regional initiatives for infrastructure investment and development, this paper examines energy demand and supply, and forecasts energy consumption in the subregion during 2017–2050 using energy modeling scenario analysis. The study found that to satisfy growing energy demand in the subregion, huge power generation infrastructure investment, estimated at around USD 190 billion–220 billion, is necessary between 2017 and 2050 and that such an investment will need to be guided by appropriate policy. We argue that without redesigning energy policy towards high-quality energy infrastructure, it is very likely that the increasing use of coal upon which the region greatly depends will lead to the widespread construction of coal-fired power plants, which could result in increased greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions.
Han Phoumin; Sopheak Meas; Hatda An. Sustainable Energy-Related Infrastructure Development in the Mekong Subregion: Key Drivers and Policy Implications. Sustainability 2021, 13, 5720 .
AMA StyleHan Phoumin, Sopheak Meas, Hatda An. Sustainable Energy-Related Infrastructure Development in the Mekong Subregion: Key Drivers and Policy Implications. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (10):5720.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHan Phoumin; Sopheak Meas; Hatda An. 2021. "Sustainable Energy-Related Infrastructure Development in the Mekong Subregion: Key Drivers and Policy Implications." Sustainability 13, no. 10: 5720.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the global recessions have reduced the investments in green projects globally that would endanger the achievement of the climate-related goals. Therefore, the post-COVID-19 world needs to adopt the green financial system by introducing new financial instruments. In this regard, green bonds—a type of debt instrument aiming to finance sustainable infrastructure projects—are growing in popularity. While the literature does not contest their effectiveness in fighting climate change, research highlights the high level of risks and low returns associated with this instrument. This study analyzes the green bond markets in different regions with a focus on Asia and the Pacific. It aims to fill the gap in the literature by conducting a comparative study of the characteristics, risks, and returns of green bonds based on the region. The study is based on theoretical background and empirical analysis using the data retrieved from Bloomberg New Energy Finance and the Climate Bonds Initiative. The empirical results are based on several econometrics tests using panel data analysis estimation methods, namely pooled ordinary least squares and generalized least squares random effects estimator. Our findings prove that green bonds in Asia tend to show higher returns but higher risks and higher heterogeneity. Generally, the Asian green bonds market is dominated by the banking sector, representing 60% of all issuance. Given that bonds issued by this sector tend to show lower returns than average, we recommend policies that could increase the rate of return of bonds issued by the banking sector through the use of tax spillover. In the era of post-COVID-19, diversification of issuers, with higher participation from the public sector and de-risking policies, could also be considered.
Farhad Taghizadeh-Hesary; Naoyuki Yoshino; Han Phoumin. Analyzing the Characteristics of Green Bond Markets to Facilitate Green Finance in the Post-COVID-19 World. Sustainability 2021, 13, 5719 .
AMA StyleFarhad Taghizadeh-Hesary, Naoyuki Yoshino, Han Phoumin. Analyzing the Characteristics of Green Bond Markets to Facilitate Green Finance in the Post-COVID-19 World. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (10):5719.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFarhad Taghizadeh-Hesary; Naoyuki Yoshino; Han Phoumin. 2021. "Analyzing the Characteristics of Green Bond Markets to Facilitate Green Finance in the Post-COVID-19 World." Sustainability 13, no. 10: 5719.
This study examines whether and how harnessing more wind energy can decrease the cost of meeting the demand for electricity and amount of carbon emissions in the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, using the ASEAN integrated electricity trade model. Three scenarios are considered: a counterfactual business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, which assumes no wind energy is used; an actual BAU scenario that uses the wind-generation capacity in 2018; and a REmap scenario, which employs the wind-generation capacity from the Renewable Energy Outlook for ASEAN. Simulation results suggest that dispatching more wind energy decreases the cost of meeting the demand for electricity and amount of carbon emissions. However, these emissions increase during the late years of the study period, as the no- or low-emitting energy-generation technologies are crowded out.
Youngho Chang; Han Phoumin. Harnessing Wind Energy Potential in ASEAN: Modelling and Policy Implications. Sustainability 2021, 13, 4279 .
AMA StyleYoungho Chang, Han Phoumin. Harnessing Wind Energy Potential in ASEAN: Modelling and Policy Implications. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (8):4279.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYoungho Chang; Han Phoumin. 2021. "Harnessing Wind Energy Potential in ASEAN: Modelling and Policy Implications." Sustainability 13, no. 8: 4279.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) faces tremendous challenges regarding the future energy landscape and how the energy transition will embrace a new architecture—including sound policies and technologies to ensure energy access together with affordability, energy security, and energy sustainability. Given the high share of fossil fuels in ASEAN’s current energy mix (oil, coal, and natural gas comprise almost 80%), the clean use of fossil fuels through the deployment of clean technologies is indispensable for decarbonizing ASEAN’s emissions. The future energy landscape of ASEAN will rely on today’s actions, policies, and investments to change the fossil fuel-based energy system towards a cleaner energy system, but any decisions and energy policy measures to be rolled out during the energy transition need to be weighed against potentially higher energy costs, affordability issues, and energy security risks. This paper employs energy modelling scenarios to seek plausible policy options for ASEAN to achieve more emissions reductions as well as energy savings, and to assess the extent to which the composition of the energy mix will be changed under various energy policy scenarios. The results imply policy recommendations for accelerating the share of renewables, adopting clean technologies and the clean use of fossil fuels, and investing in climate-resilient energy quality infrastructure.
Han Phoumin; Fukunari Kimura; Jun Arima. ASEAN’s Energy Transition towards Cleaner Energy System: Energy Modelling Scenarios and Policy Implications. Sustainability 2021, 13, 2819 .
AMA StyleHan Phoumin, Fukunari Kimura, Jun Arima. ASEAN’s Energy Transition towards Cleaner Energy System: Energy Modelling Scenarios and Policy Implications. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (5):2819.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHan Phoumin; Fukunari Kimura; Jun Arima. 2021. "ASEAN’s Energy Transition towards Cleaner Energy System: Energy Modelling Scenarios and Policy Implications." Sustainability 13, no. 5: 2819.
A large potential exists in the Southeast Asia region for deployment of high-efficiency, low-emission (HELE) electricity generation technologies. A cost–benefit analysis of HELE technologies compared to the less efficient subcritical electricity generation plants is thus carried out to find a persuasive scenario supporting quicker transition from subcritical stations towards HELE technologies in the region. A levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) analysis is carried out for both technologies under four potential policy scenarios. Scenario 1 does not take into consideration any carbon pricing or costs associated with the desulphurization (deSOx) and denitrification (deNOx) facilities. Scenario 2 (Scenario 3) incorporates carbon pricing (costs associated with the deSOx and deNOx facilities), and Scenario 4 includes both carbon pricing and costs associated with the deSOx and deNOx facilities. Under each scenario, a sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate the uncertainty affecting the future coal prices. This study demonstrates that HELE technologies are competitive against the subcritical plants under all four scenarios and both the technologies derive benefit from lifetime extensions and low coal prices. It is revealed that future deployments of HELE technologies can be best expedited by factoring in carbon pricing in LCOE costs of coal-fired power plants under Scenario 2.
Hassan Ali; Han Phoumin; Steven Weller; Beni Suryadi. Cost–Benefit Analysis of HELE and Subcritical Coal-Fired Electricity Generation Technologies in Southeast Asia. Sustainability 2021, 13, 1591 .
AMA StyleHassan Ali, Han Phoumin, Steven Weller, Beni Suryadi. Cost–Benefit Analysis of HELE and Subcritical Coal-Fired Electricity Generation Technologies in Southeast Asia. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (3):1591.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHassan Ali; Han Phoumin; Steven Weller; Beni Suryadi. 2021. "Cost–Benefit Analysis of HELE and Subcritical Coal-Fired Electricity Generation Technologies in Southeast Asia." Sustainability 13, no. 3: 1591.
Southeast Asia faces one of the fastest growths in electricity demand in the world, driven by increasing incomes, urbanization and industrialization. Development and deployment of green energy technologies offer a natural conduit to meet the growing electricity needs of the Association of Southeast Asian Economies (ASEAN) region while also serving as a viable strategy to adapt to climate change. The aim of this study is to formulate the policy lessons for the ASEAN economies and governments in facilitating the development and deployment of green technologies and alternatives energy options based on a specific case review of the ASEAN. The ASEAN economic region is prioritizing sustainable economic growth while minimizing the regional impacts of climate change through decarbonization. The study undertakes a case-specific analysis in reviewing green energy deployment in the context of green growth and energy transition using secondary data sources and discusses the current status and future options of renewable energy development in the ASEAN. We find that carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies will allow the ASEAN to continue to use fossil fuels while achieving sustainable economic growth as coal demand increases in the region. The deployment of CCS technologies will also act as an enabler of hydrogen energy as a green energy solution in the region in the longer term. Boosting public acceptance to nuclear energy, implementing energy efficiency improvement policies and eliminating fossil fuels consumption subsidies are feasible short-term and medium-term policies. Increasing both the public and private sector energy investments and development of CCS technologies in the longer term are necessary complementary policies to maximize the benefits of greater deployment of renewable energy sources in the region and combat climate change.
Rabindra Nepal; Han Phoumin; Abiral Khatri. Green Technological Development and Deployment in the Association of Southeast Asian Economies (ASEAN)—At Crossroads or Roundabout? Sustainability 2021, 13, 758 .
AMA StyleRabindra Nepal, Han Phoumin, Abiral Khatri. Green Technological Development and Deployment in the Association of Southeast Asian Economies (ASEAN)—At Crossroads or Roundabout? Sustainability. 2021; 13 (2):758.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRabindra Nepal; Han Phoumin; Abiral Khatri. 2021. "Green Technological Development and Deployment in the Association of Southeast Asian Economies (ASEAN)—At Crossroads or Roundabout?" Sustainability 13, no. 2: 758.
The power generation mix of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is dominated by fossil fuels, which accounted for almost 80% in 2017 and are expected to account for 82% in 2050 if the region does not transition to cleaner energy systems. Solar and wind power are the most abundant energy resources but contribute negligibly to the power mix. Investors in solar or wind farms face high risks from electricity curtailment if surplus electricity is not used. Employing the policy scenario analysis of the energy outlook modelling results, this paper examines the potential scalability of renewable hydrogen production from curtailed electricity in scenarios of high share of variable renewable energy in the power generation mix. The study found that ASEAN has high potential in developing renewable hydrogen production from curtailed electricity. The study further found that the falling cost of renewable hydrogen production could be a game changer to upscaling the large-scale hydrogen production in ASEAN through policy support. The results implied a future role of renewable hydrogen in energy transition to decarbonize ASEAN’s emissions.
Han Phoumin; Fukunari Kimura; Jun Arima. Potential Renewable Hydrogen from Curtailed Electricity to Decarbonize ASEAN’s Emissions: Policy Implications. Sustainability 2020, 12, 10560 .
AMA StyleHan Phoumin, Fukunari Kimura, Jun Arima. Potential Renewable Hydrogen from Curtailed Electricity to Decarbonize ASEAN’s Emissions: Policy Implications. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (24):10560.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHan Phoumin; Fukunari Kimura; Jun Arima. 2020. "Potential Renewable Hydrogen from Curtailed Electricity to Decarbonize ASEAN’s Emissions: Policy Implications." Sustainability 12, no. 24: 10560.
Cambodia’s biomass consumption is the most dominant energy source at residential sector, and its use is mainly for cooking and heating which could affect health due to indoor air pollution. The biomass is mainly sourced from wood cutting and forest-encroachment that could impact the environment due to reduction of forest at considerable scale. By using the data 2015 of Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey, the study investigates the impacts of electricity consumption on household welfare, such as earnings and the school performance of children in the households, and further to investigate its impacts on the environment. The study found that household’s access to electricity with ability to spend on electricity consumption contributes to the positive household welfare effects and environment via a reduction of biomass consumption, and the more household spends on biomass, the more they are prone to sickness of lung problem. The study also confirmed the important role of human capital formation for the positive impact on the welfare and the environment. These findings lead to policy implications that would improve affordable access to electricity to ensure that all households can use electricity for their basic needs and productivity, and also to reduce the negative effects on environment.
Phoumin Han; Fukunari Kimura; Suwin Sandu. Household-level analysis of the impacts of electricity consumption on welfare and the environment in Cambodia: Empirical evidence and policy implications. Economic Modelling 2019, 89, 476 -483.
AMA StylePhoumin Han, Fukunari Kimura, Suwin Sandu. Household-level analysis of the impacts of electricity consumption on welfare and the environment in Cambodia: Empirical evidence and policy implications. Economic Modelling. 2019; 89 ():476-483.
Chicago/Turabian StylePhoumin Han; Fukunari Kimura; Suwin Sandu. 2019. "Household-level analysis of the impacts of electricity consumption on welfare and the environment in Cambodia: Empirical evidence and policy implications." Economic Modelling 89, no. : 476-483.
Energy poverty is defined using clean energy accessibility and affordability. Households affected by energy poverty reduced earning ability and wellbeing. Energy poverty is strongly associated to energy access and quality of fuel uses. Energy poverty line is established for Cambodia.
Han Phoumin; Fukunari Kimura. Cambodia's energy poverty and its effects on social wellbeing: Empirical evidence and policy implications. Energy Policy 2019, 132, 283 -289.
AMA StyleHan Phoumin, Fukunari Kimura. Cambodia's energy poverty and its effects on social wellbeing: Empirical evidence and policy implications. Energy Policy. 2019; 132 ():283-289.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHan Phoumin; Fukunari Kimura. 2019. "Cambodia's energy poverty and its effects on social wellbeing: Empirical evidence and policy implications." Energy Policy 132, no. : 283-289.