Energy
Indonesia’s new capital of power can’t afford the tangled wires of Jakarta
The electricity cable system in Jakarta is estimated to be more than 80,000 kilometres long, which is sufficient to circle the Earth more than twice. With the city’s rapid growth…
Economic diplomacy: Japan’s message in a gas bottle
New emissions
When Japan’s ambassador Shingo Yamagami left Australia earlier than scheduled in April, the Albanese government probably hoped it would get a break from his…
Australia and Southeast Asia: Driving EV collaboration across borders
“All countries deserve to process their natural resources, all countries deserve to make their people prosperous, and other countries must respect this right.” These words from…
Timor-Leste: Breaking free from temptation of easy money
A successful 21 May election in Timor-Leste saw the smooth and peaceful transition of power to a new government led by Xanana Gusmão – new, in the sense of being newly sworn in,…
Economic diplomacy: Power shifts with Jakarta
Trading places
It’s now half a century since Australia and Indonesia signed a bilateral investment agreement leading to serial government initiatives mostly on the Australian…
From hydrocarbons to hydrogen? Gulf states seek the good oil in green transition
Hydrogen has been hailed as an energy of the future and the technical fix in the green transition. But as hydrogen’s technological and cost barriers continue to fall, there remain…
Finding opportunity in Australia’s liquid fuel security challenge
Australia is overwhelmingly dependent on imports, to the tune of 91%, for its refined fuel needs. That creates national security challenges, a concern clearly identified in the…
Pakistan’s gamble with Russian oil
News of the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan has roiled Pakistan in the past day, which is the latest development in a long-winding saga. Much of the instability in the…
Managing Japan-Australia energy tensions in a time of transition
Yamagami Shingo, who until last week served as Japan’s ambassador to Australia, again voiced criticism of Australia’s energy policy just before leaving his post. The Japanese…
Finding opportunity in Asia’s net-zero transition
The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing a surge in climate action, with nearly all countries in the region committing to achieving net-zero emissions, albeit with varying timeframes…