The Integrated Urban-Energy Planning and Modelling (IUEPM) Workshop, held on 20-21 November 2024, in Jakarta, Indonesia, marked a critical step in advancing urban sustainability across the ASEAN region. Organised by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) with support from the USAID Smart Power Program (SPP), the event brought together government representatives and experts from leading organisations, including Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS), Republic of Indonesia, UN-Habitat, C40 Cities, PT PLN, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), World Resources Institute (WRI) -Indonesia, Institut Teknologi Bandung, ICLEI South Asia, United Nations Global Pulse Asia Pacific, as well as representatives from ASEAN members states among others. 

The two-day workshop provided a platform to explore the challenges and opportunities of integrating energy considerations into urban planning. Sessions highlighted global and regional efforts in smart city development and urban-energy integration, with discussions on technologies such as smart grids, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and the importance of energy modelling in achieving energy resilience in the region. A key focus was on building skills through practical sessions on urban-energy planning and advanced energy modelling techniques, which were central to the workshop’s theme.

ICLEI South Asia presented on Urban-Energy Planning and Modelling Techniques, focusing on the use of modelling tools to support cities in creating energy scenarios, integrating renewable energy, and optimizing energy use. These tools were showcased as effective for guiding sustainable urban development by helping cities plan energy transitions, reduce emissions, and align with long-term sustainability goals. 

In addition, ICLEI South Asia presented on integrating solar energy into urban planning, sharing actionable insights on aligning renewable energy projects with urban development goals. This session underscored ICLEI’s commitment to fostering resilience and reducing carbon footprints in urban settings.

Representing the USAID SPP’s Competitive Procurement Center (CPC), ICLEI South Asia introduced the CPC to ASEAN member states as a strategic initiative aimed at advancing sustainable energy solutions. The CPC focuses on fostering collaboration and providing technical support to governments and stakeholders in the ASEAN region to streamline energy procurement processes. By promoting innovative and competitive procurement strategies, the CPC seeks to accelerate the transition to clean energy systems, addressing the regional energy challenges.

The event concluded with a site visit to Jakarta Smart City. Participants observed firsthand how the city captures and tracks real-time data across sectors and explored innovative methods of data management and their application in urban planning. The visit provided valuable insights into how such technologies are utilized to enhance urban management and planning, offering a practical example of smart city solutions in action.

The workshop concluded with a collective commitment, with participants reaffirming their commitment to advancing integrated urban-energy planning in the ASEAN region.