Report from the Opening of Singapore International Energy Week

Singapore, 31st October 2011
by Christine Lins, REN21 Secretariat

While torrential rains fall down in Singapore, the 4th edition of the Singapore International Energy Week  (SIEW) was opened today by a key-note speech of H.E. S. Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore, followed by the Singapore Energy Lecture given by Nobua Tanaka, the IEA’s former Executive Director.  SIEW2011 is convened under the motto “securing our energy future”, a topic that is high on today’s energy policy agenda in the aftermath of the Arab spring as well as continuing turmoil on financial markets.

As far as Singapore itself is concerned, the government has identified the clean energy industry as a key growth area. The clean energy industry is expected to contribute S$1.7 billion (US$ 1,4 billion) to the GDP and create 7,000 jobs by 2015. The government has put in place several initiatives and funding to attract clean energy companies to set up their operations in Singapore and create jobs, and also to encourage research and development and test-bedding in clean energy technologies.

The country has identified solar and biofuels as most promising renewable energy sources, however only a few pilot projects are implemented. In his Opening Statement, Mr. Iswaran referred to Singapore as a living laboratory for renewable energy where a micro-grid testing project on one of the islands shall deliver concrete results how a high share of variable renewables can be integrated into the grid.

Renewable energy will play a key role in securing future energy supply, diversification and demand management being key elements. As Mr. Tanaka put it: “Growing Asian economies will shape the global energy future – where will their political decisions lead us?” This question will be at the centre of discussions throughout this week. The launch of REN21’s Renewables Global Status Report on 1st November in cooperation with ADB at the Clean Energy Expo Asia, one of the flagship events of Singapore International Energy Week, will present decision makers with a solid background on rapid renewable energy growth throughout the world and hopefully contribute to orient future energy policy decisions in the region towards renewable energy.