The U.S.-Asia Gas Partnership (AGP) is a public-private partnership between government and industry representatives to optimize the development of secure, reliable, and economic sources of natural gas across the Indo-Pacific.
One of the fastest growing economic regions in the world, the Indo-Pacific accounts for more than half of global energy consumption, with 85 percent derived from fossil fuels. At the same time, increasingly competitive renewables are reshaping the global gas industry as countries in the Indo-Pacific look to liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and highly efficient, natural gas-fired generation as a means of balancing grid variability.
As regional energy demand continues to grow over the next 10 years, the share of LNG demand is expected to nearly double, creating infrastructure bottlenecks that will limit LNG imports. Meeting this demand growth will require $80 billion in LNG infrastructure investment in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India combined.
A GLOBAL NETWORK OF INDUSTRY LEADERS
AGP convenes a diverse set of stakeholders to optimize gas network infrastructure planning through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with the U.S. Energy Association (USEA) and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), to develop domestic gas markets in Asia. AGP will support strategic planning to promote the development of resilient and least-cost power systems that will continue to meet demand over time.
The objective of the AGP is to share best practices in the development of secure, reliable, and economic sources of natural gas. Practical training and strategic advice targeted at ministries and regulators aims to drive more informed policy and decision-making. With a long-term vision to enable the creation of a regional gas market, the AGP will facilitate a shared understanding between government officials and the private sector about the technical, commercial, and economic factors that spur investment.
EXPERIENCED ADVISORS
Achieving successful development of gas infrastructure and LNG plants is a complex process that requires communication, transparency, and ongoing dialogue among host governments, local governments and stakeholders, and the private sector. Experienced advisors and practitioners in legal, financial, technical and strategic planning will build the capabilities and knowledge of government officials to negotiate with confidence and on equal footing with project developers. The nature of natural gas projects and relationships are long-term. Thus, the AGP will open lines of communication to promote partnership and mutual trust between government officials and industry.
OTHER RESOURCES
In addition, AGP will be supporting other technical assistance and capacity building activities, including training, webinar series, technical and market studies, and regulatory framework support.
ASIA EDGE
The AGP is a key component of Asia EDGE (Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy), a whole-of-government initiative to grow sustainable and secure energy markets across the Indo-Pacific region and level the playing field for private sector firms in Asia. Under Asia EDGE, USAID will support partner countries to mobilize private investment, modernize technologies and practices, and expand market opportunities to accelerate the growth of the region’s energy markets in four key areas: (1) regional energy trade and integration; (2) increased deployment of advanced energy systems; (3) utility modernization; and (4) transparent, best value procurement practices.