How to provide energy for everybody

We need robust, predictable and transparent policies that will give markets the freedom to exercise choices in innovation, technology and investment if we want energy to help sustain economic growth. The only way of keeping political risk low is to have national policy frameworks that will ensure the right balance is maintained among the three factors of the "trilemma".

This is critical to meeting the energy infrastructure challenge. The reality, however, is that more than half the countries still don't have a coherent energy policy, and there can be no effective international climate framework in the absence of balanced national energy policies.

At the Asian Development Bank's Asia Clean Energy Forum in Manila this week, we discuss with governments and business leaders on how to build a cleaner, more affordable and more secure energy future for Asia.

When it comes to energy, regional priorities and opportunities are different. Every region and every country must forge its own path. But since it is clear that we have reached a tipping point in our energy future, we must get real in understanding the challenges if we are to seize the opportunities to provide sustainable energy for all.

The author is secretary general of the World Energy Council.

(China Daily 06/19/2014 page9)