Balancing Energy Transition and Security in an Interconnected Asia
By Bobby Tan and Keethanna Jeyaseelan, EMA
As Asia navigates an era of rapid energy growth, balancing the dual imperatives of transition and security has never been more critical.
At the Fireside Chat, Nomi Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Services, GE Vernova, and Yasser M. Mufti, Executive Vice President, Products and Customers, Aramco, discussed how technology, investment, and collaboration can build more connected and resilient energy systems. Mr Ahmad also highlighted the importance of investment flows and policy frameworks that help de-risk energy projects and accelerate deployment.
Moderated by Dr Roger Fouquet, Principal Research Fellow, Energy Studies Institute, the conversation explored how Asia can power progress while ensuring reliability in an increasingly interconnected world.
Integrating systems responsibly to power progress
Asia is experiencing what Mr Ahmad described as an unprecedented generational lifetime of energy growth. This is driven by electrification, digitalisation, and rising demand for heating and cooling. Both speakers agreed that decarbonisation must move in step with secure and affordable supply to sustain regional development.
Mr Mufti noted that hydrocarbons will continue to play an important role in meeting Asia's growing energy needs, even as renewables expand. He stressed that the transition ahead is not about replacement but addition. It means integrating new and existing systems responsibly to power progress and resilience across the region.
Technology and data driving the energy transition
Technology and data are redefining how the world powers progress. Mr Ahmad highlighted how artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and efficiency-driven innovation are transforming energy systems. That flexibility is vital to integrating renewables and meeting growing demand.
Mr Mufti added that technology and data analytics are needed to improve system performance, safety, and emissions management. Aramco monitors millions of data points across its global operations.
Both speakers agreed that innovation is helping bridge traditional and low-carbon systems. This progress is enabling greater reliability and shared resilience across the energy landscape.
Singapore as a regional catalyst
Both speakers recognised Singapore’s growing role as a hub for regional energy integration. Mr Ahmad commended Singapore's forward-looking policies, investment-friendly environment, and clear governance that encourages innovation and capital flow.
Mr Ahmad added that Singapore's facilitative approach, though initiatives such as cross-border power trade, positions it as a vital connector in Asia's energy transition. He also noted that while Singapore may not be the region's largest energy consumer, its systems thinking and collaborative ecosystem make it essential to regional progress.
Financing and collaboration for a sustainable transition
Mr Ahmad noted that capital is available, but successful projects depend on clear policies and balanced risk-sharing between the public and private sectors. He said the challenge is not scientific or technical, but commercial. Aligning policy and project viability will be key to unlocking investment at scale.
He added that effective public–private partnerships are essential to bridge this gap and ensure that capital flows where it is most needed. These collaborations, he added, will determine how quickly the region can build the systems that power a sustainable transition.
Building flexible and resilient energy systems
Mr Mufti underscored that flexibility is central to energy security. Despite recent geopolitical disruptions, oil and gas supplies to consumers in Asia remained uninterrupted. This is evidence of resilient markets and past investments in security of supply. He added that each crisis forces the system to adapt. That flexibility must continue as technologies evolve and the energy economy grows.
Mr Ahmad’s earlier remarks on integrating systems and enabling investment complement this view. Together, both speakers pointed to a practical path. Keep markets flexible, integrate new and existing systems responsibly, and sustain investment to support growth and reliability.
The session was moderated by Dr Roger Fouquet, Principal Research Fellow, Energy Studies Institute (ESI), and featured Nomi Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Services, GE Vernova, and Yasser M. Mufti, Executive Vice President, Products and Customers, Aramco.
Dr Fouquet closed the session by highlighting that flexibility will remain essential as energy markets, technologies, and investments continue to evolve.
Stay tuned as the conversation evolves throughout the day. Follow @SIEW_sg on Telegram and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest insights.