Opening the second meeting of the Asia Solar Energy Forum (ASEF) in Tokyo at the beginning of December, Mr. Kuroda urged governments in Asia and the Pacific to invest in solar energy to help ensure their future growth is environmentally sustainable. The forum, a major component of the ASEI, is the premier platform for sharing solar energy knowledge, tracking solar development projects, and discussing new solar power proposals and incentive mechanisms.
Mr. Kuroda noted that Asia and the Pacific's high economic growth rates, continuing population growth, and current and projected energy demand gap provide a huge market opportunity and potential for solar energy development.
"Asian countries will need to aim to maintain economic progress and improve energy security, while simultaneously charting a new low-carbon development path," he said.
Before the launch of ASEI, the region produced less than 500 megawatts of solar power from installed plants. The capacity is expected to reach 1,000 megawatts by the end of 2011, and to 3,000 megawatts by the end of its third year in May 2013.
Apart from ASEF, the ASEI also includes the Asia Accelerated Solar Energy Development Fund (AASEDF), which will "buy down" the high upfront costs of solar energy development to help encourage private investment in the sector.
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