The RENEW Southeast Asia (SEA) project launch last September 23, 2024 via Zoom included a panel discussion on the topic, “Sustainable Energy Transition among SEA Local Governments.” (In photo: from upper left, clockwise) Yustina Ika Kurniawati, Head of Yogyakarta Energy Division; Trinnawat Suwanprik, the Local Coordinator for the Chiang Mai Smart City initiative; Mae Valdez-Irong, ICLEI SEA Regional Program Manager; Nur Dalilah Binti Mohd Zamri, Energy Manager of Hang Tuah Jaya; and Hafizam Mustaffa, CEO of Melaka Green Technology Corporation.

ICLEI Southeast Asia (SEA) has launched the RENEW SEA project, which aims to build a collaborative network among local and regional governments in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to drive the transition to sustainable energy.

Over 70 participants from all over the world attended the project launch, held September 23, 2024 via Zoom.

The RENEW SEA project aims to bring together and mobilize three subnational governments—namely Yogyakarta (Indonesia), Hang Tuah Jaya (Malaysia), and Chiang Mai Municipality (Thailand)—working towards sustainable energy.

Through the project, ICLEI will facilitate multi-level collaboration and capacity-building, and foster knowledge exchange focused on scaling up efforts in renewable energy and improving energy efficiency.

The three subnational governments will be supported with tailored resources, training, peer exchanges, and networking opportunities.

Rohit Sen, Sustainable Energy Head of ICLEI, said during the introduction of the project that other local and regional governments can also be part of the RENEW project as “Networking Cities.”

Networking cities will have access to general events, webinars, knowledge products, information on funding opportunities, and other shared resources, including a planned virtual serious game workshop.

Rohit Sen, Sustainable Energy Head of the ICLEI World Secretariat, gives an overview of the RENEW SEA project.

The RENEW SEA project recognizes the role of cities and regions in leading the renewable energy transition using their unique position and authorities, as well as the shared goals within the region in terms of decarbonization, climate adaptation and resilience, clean energy, and energy security.

Commitment of subnational governments

During the project launch, the local governments of Yogyakarta, Hang Tuah Jaya, and Chiang Mai Municipality expressed their commitment to the project.

Datin Sapiah binti Haron, Hang Tuah Jaya Mayor and ICLEI Sustainable Energy Transition Portfolio Holder, said in a recorded video message that she believes the project will support their current efforts related to sustainable energy.

Datin Sapiah binti Haron, Hang Tuah Jaya Mayor and ICLEI Sustainable Energy Transition Portfolio Holder, delivers a commitment message to the RENEW SEA project.

Anna Rina Herbranti, Head of the Yogyakarta Public Works, Housing, and Mineral Resources Energy Agency, also delivered a commitment message on behalf of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, Governor of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

“Through [the RENEW project], [Yogyakarta] will try to be actively involved in exchanging knowledge and experience, and supporting collaboration to realize sustainable, clean energy,” said Herbranti.

Anna Rina Herbranti, Head of the Yogyakarta Public Works, Housing, and Mineral Resources Energy Agency, delivers a commitment message to the RENEW SEA project on behalf of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, Governor of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai Mayor Assanee Buranupakorn also prepared a commitment message, read during the launch by Trinnawat Suwanprik, the Local Coordinator for the Chiang Mai Smart City initiative.

Buranupakorn said in his message that the project aligns with Chiang Mai’s commitment to address climate change in a “meaningful and sustainable way” and fully support other subnational governments involved in the project as they work towards reducing energy consumption and shifting to renewable and efficient energy sources.

Trinnawat Suwanprik, the Local Coordinator for the Chiang Mai Smart City initiative, reads the commitment message of Chiang Mai Mayor Assanee Buranupakorn to the RENEW SEA project.

Sustainable energy transition in SEA

The project launch included a live panel discussion on the topic, “Sustainable Energy Transition among SEA Local Governments,” moderated by Mae Valdez-Irong, Regional Program Manager of ICLEI SEA, with the following as panelists: Suwanprik; Nur Dalilah Binti Mohd Zamri, Energy Manager of Hang Tuah Jaya, Malaysia; Hafizam Mustaffa, CEO of Melaka Green Technology Corporation, Malaysia; and Yustina Ika Kurniawati, Head of Yogyakarta Energy Division, Indonesia.

Zamri said she looks forward to how the subnational governments can learn from each other through the RENEW SEA project.

As for Mustaffa, he said he hopes the project can be a way to provide examples of tangible results in sustainable energy efforts to help overcome common challenges in the region.

Kurniawati also expressed their interest in how the project can meet their needs for capacity-building, such as in clean energy management and implementation.

Arif Wibowo, Country Manager of ICLEI Indonesia, said having networks and partners through initiatives such as the RENEW SEA project can help accelerate local and regional solutions to sustainability challenges.

100% Renewables network, TAP

During the project launch, local governments were also invited to join the 100% Renewables Cities and Regions Network which aims to support the renewable energy transition in cities, towns and regions around the globe.

ICLEI supports members of the network in developing roadmaps towards 100% renewable energy, local policy development, accessing finance, and developing bankable RE projects, fostering multilevel governance, and strengthening the capacities of key stakeholders.

Ricardo Marfiga Jr., Membership, Governance, and Circular Economy Manager of ICLEI SEA, also invited local governments and businesses to apply for the ICLEI-led Transformative Actions Program (TAP), which helps develop sustainable infrastructure ideas into solid and investment-ready projects.

As of this writing, TAP has successfully supported 39 projects all over the world—including projects on sustainable energy—in accessing finance, technical assistance, or implementation.

Arif Wibowo, Country Manager of ICLEI Indonesia, delivers the closing remarks to wrap-up the project launch.