US Energy Partnership in the Indo-Pacific

The US can help Indo-Pacific countries meet their needs for conventional and new, lower-emission energy, its Department of Energy said July 30.

The US energy secretary Rick Perry joined the secretary of state Michael Pompeo, the commerce secretary Wilbur Ross and other members of the Trump administration at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Washington, DC July 30 to underscore America’s commitment to stronger economic engagement and energy security in the Indo-Pacific region.

The US will be working on a new initiative, Asia Edge – Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy – which aims to achieve this commitment by growing foreign energy markets, expanding public-private partnerships and fostering business-to-business connections, the department said.

The US will also advance market-based energy policies and market reforms by helping partner governments set transparent, market-based, best-value energy policies, catalyse private capital for the financing of export and investment projects by partnering with international financial institutions and firms on pooled finance, insurance, and risk mitigation and promote universal access to affordable, secure and reliable energy supplies by tapping America’s vast natural resources and technical expertise.

In terms of establishing new energy engagements, the Trump administration has established strategic energy partnerships respectively with Australia, India and Japan. These efforts, and others like them, are connecting our respective private sectors, promoting regional infrastructure and energy co-operation, and opening up new energy markets, the department of energy said.

The US is also helping India accelerate natural gas footprint in its economy. Perry travelled to India in April this year to launch both the US-India Strategic Energy Partnership, and the US-India Gas Task Force, which brings together US and Indian industry to accelerate the role of natural gas in India’s economy. In March, India's Gail received the maiden LNG shipment from US.

The US is also fostering dialogue on energy trade. In June, Perry hosted and led the dialogue between CEOs and the energy ministers representing Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation during the World Gas Conference in Washington, DC. At the same time US is expanding LNG export capabilities. Late July week, Perry and dignitaries from India and Japan participated in the dedication of Dominion Cove Point LNG Port, the second operational US LNG export facility. The Indo-Pacific region has big potential for US energy and energy-related exports, especially LNG, the department of energy said. 

There is a focus on nuclear energy as well. The energy department said it is promoting greater commercial co-operation in nuclear energy in the Indo-Pacific region. The deputy secretary Dan Brouillette will travel to Japan in August to lead a delegation to the US-Japan to take part in a forum on nuclear decommissioning.