The sustainable energy industry in Singapore has been given a boost in the recent years, with government support in solar PV increasing, and interest in smart infrastructure being put as a large part of future development plans for the country. The sustainable energy landscape is changing quickly, and SEAS hopes to help our members adapt and grow along with it. During the AGM, SEAS shared some important projects that we embarked on in 2014 to help our members and the industry develop.
Chairman and Secretariat’s Update
Edwin Khew, Chairman of SEAS, announced that we will be running the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Energy, which is being funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It’s the first time that the ADB signed a letter of agreement with an industry association to support such a venture and SEAS is looking forward to engaging regional policy makers. The trainers will be established industry experts from Singapore and around the world. SEAS members will also be able to interact with these policy makers, who would be given an overview of the sustainable energy landscape in Singapore, and they can bring case studies and best-in-class examples back to their home countries. At the end of each course, these policy makers would be equipped with the knowledge to develop and execute a framework for sustainable energy in their own country.
Kavita Gandhi, Executive Director of SEAS, also reported on the first Asia Clean Energy Summit (ACES) in 2014 that was organised by SEAS. ACES saw about 800 speakers and participants from 19 countries attend. It is a significant event for the industry as a wide spectrum of decision makers are brought together and we’re looking forward to bringing ACES to the Singapore International Energy Week again this year.
Panel Discussion on the Transfer of Low Carbon Technologies
The highlight of the AGM was the panel discussion on the transfer of low carbon technologies. The panelists were Yanis Boudjouher, CEO, ReEx Capital Asia, Dr Sze Tiam-Lin, Director, IPI Singapore, and Voon Yee, Director, TechBridge Ventures Pte Ltd. Christophe Inglin, MD, Phoenix Solar Pte Ltd was the moderator.
As Singapore is a living laboratory for clean technologies, innovations that are developed or adapted for tropical climates here are being applied throughout the region. However, the process of R&D, commercialization, and adoption does have its challenges and they were brought up during the panel discussion. The issue of Intellectual Property was also discussed and how it can be protected.
The facilitation of the transfer of low carbon technologies is faced with unique market conditions of each country, and the availability of in-market support. These technologies need to have a strong value proposition, be unique, and meet the needs of the target market. Getting funding for the development of the technology at the R&D stage, and then the commercialization stage is always a big issue. The transfer of low carbon technology addresses an important and urgent global issue but there are many roadblocks, which slows down the process.
It was a dynamic discussion and a matter that is close to the hearts of our members. As the industry develops further, we hope that more projects can be facilitated as developing countries that are demanding more and more energy need low carbon solutions in order to stay sustainable and yet achieve economic growth.