We had an exclusive interview with Lee Giok Seng, Secretary of the Asia Pacific Natural Gas Vehicle Association (ANGVA), who spoke on the challenges of gas vehicles in the region, the most exciting markets for NGV investment and the increasing role of the Association.

How is the current status of natural gas vehicles (NGV) in Asia? What are the most attractive markets for NGV investment?

   The number of natural gas vehicles in Asia Pacific is still growing steadily. Total number of vehicles in the region is about 5.6 millions with around 7500 stations. Growth was about 16 % in the year 2009.

   It is very difficult to point out specific markets that are attractive for investment as I think the full market potential of NGV in the Asia Pacific region had not been fully analyzed and understood. We need to look at the key drivers and challenges of the countries concern and also to look at the need of specific markets of their transportation sectors.  For example Pakistan, with around 2.25 million vehicles which are mostly light duty vehicles, there is an attractive market for medium and heavy duty vehicles especially city buses. The transport sector in almost all countries in the region consumed large amount of energy, mainly in the form of gasoline and diesel, and is also a major contributor of air pollution. Hence, there will always be attractive markets for NGV investment in many countries in the region.  Markets of particular interest to ANGVA this year are China, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

What is the new conformation of the ANGVA Executive Board for the next period? What will be the challenges of the new leadership?

   During the ANGVA 2009 Conference & Exhibition in Donghae, Korea, 27th to 29th October 2009, ANGVA held its 3rd Biennial General Meeting to elect new Executive Committee members (board members) for the term of 2010 – 2011.  Forty (40) ANGVA members, out of 90 members, were present in Donghae to vote for new board members among the duly nominated candidates. The new board members for the term 2010 – 2011 are:

   President Mr. Wichai Pornkeratiwat (PTT PLC, Thailand); Immediate Past President (appointed) Dr. Chitrapongse Kwangsukstith (PTT PLC, Thailand); Senior Vice President Mr. Jin Gang (Shanghai Diesel Engine Co., Ltd., China); Treasurer Mr. Haikal Zubir (PETRONAS, Malaysia); Vice Presidents Mr. Danny Praditya (PT Citra Nusantara, Indonesia); Ms. Brenda Smith   (Gas Advisers, Hong Kong); Mr. William Aw (Smart Energy Pte Ltd., Singapore); Mr. Sean Blythe (Advanced Fuels Tech, Australia); Mr. Fazal Ali Khan (CG Tech/LMF, UAE); Secretary (appointed) Mr. Lee Giok Seng (PETRONAS, Malaysia).

   The challenges to the new leadership are to continue promoting NGV as a commercially viable, clean and safe fuel for the transport sector, highlighting the benefits of NGV to all key stakeholders, highlighting that NGV can also be renewable and sustainable via the usage of Biomethane, and to continue promoting and growing ANGVA and its memberships.

What is the balance of ANGVA Green Highways Project 2009?

   The ANGVA Green Highways Project 2009 was successfully concluded with the handing over of the ANGVA Green Highways Project 2009’s flag and torch to the Mayor of Donghae, Mayor Kim Hak-Gi on 26th October 2009 in Donghae. Nine countries participated in the flag and torch relays, they were: Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Korea. The project had managed to create awareness and interest in NGV and ANGVA and managed to forge friendships and cooperations among the 9 teams in 9 countries along the routes.  ANGVA is now planning for the implementation of its Green Highway Project 2011 which will be completed at ANGVA 2011, Beijing, China, 18th – 20th October 2011.

Why has China chosen to host the ANGVA 2011 Conference & Exhibition?

   Among the 3 shortlisted cities from different countries that had submitted their bids to host ANGVA 2011, the bid by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) for the city of Beijing, was chosen by ANGVA. Among the criteria for choosing the host of ANGVA 2011 are: experience and capability to host/organize major international conferences and exhibitions; availability of suitable facilities and hotels for the conference & exhibitions; ease of accessibility by local and overseas delegates, exhibitors and visitors; strong present and support for NGV programme and industry from relevant government departments / agencies and local NGV-related industries.

What could be the contribution of the appointment of Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahim Hashim as president of the International Gas Union (IGU) for the NGV industry in Asia and Malaysia?

   Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Hashim has many years of experience in NGV and is a strong supporter of NGV. He was the first elected President of ANGVA (2003 – 2005), was re-elected as ANGVA President for 2006- 2007, and was instrumental in growing and laying the foundation for ANGVA to grow from its early beginning till what it is today. Datuk Dr Rahim was also the former Chairman of PETRONAS NGV Sdn Bhd and former Vice President of Research & Technology of PETRONAS. Hence, the appointment of Datuk Dr Rahim as the President of IGU for the triennium term of 2009 – 2012, means NGV would continue to enjoy strong support and be part of IGU activities under the IGU Working Committee WOC5’s Study Group SG5.3. The SG5.3 undertakes NGV activities and projects for the benefits of IGU members and the NGV industry worldwide. Members of SG5.3 comprises of NGV experts and players from all over the world. Mr. Eugene Pronin of NGVRus / Gazprom, Russia, is the chairman of SG5.3 for the triennium of 2009 – 2012. NGV needs the support and commitment of major gas companies to be successful and sustainable. Hopefully we will now see much more support and commitment for NGV from major gas companies worldwide through the influence of IGU.

What are the prospects for NGV in Asia for 2010?

   The prospect for NGV in Asia Pacific for 2010 and beyond remains good as demand for transportation fuels and better air quality (especially in the cities) will keep on growing in this part of the world. As we know crude oil prices are now slowing creeping up again and global warming and climate change are becoming a major issue. However, rather than wait for the NGV markets to develop before making their moves, NGV players, especially the NGV business sector, must help to promote and develop the NGV markets in this part of the world. The NGV fraternity must help to make sure that new markets are properly develop and grow (based on their experiences in other successful NGV countries) and help to ensure that teething issues such as safety (especially CNG cylinder safety), CNG supply and pricing mechanism, technology adoption and application, and skilled local manpower development are properly and adequately addressed. This is where NGV associations, such as ANGVA, can best play their roles. However, these associations can only play their roles effectively if there are strong support, membership and sponsorship from the NGV Industry. ANGVA needs and welcomes the supports, memberships and sponsorships of the NGV industry especially those in the Asia Pacific region.