(Picture Credit: EMA)
CLOSING REMARKS BY MR S ISWARAN,
MINISTER IN PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE & SECOND MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS & TRADE & INDUSTRY,
AT "IN DIALOGUE WITH YOUTH"
ON WEDNESDAY, 24 OCTOBER 2012, SANDS EXPO & CONVENTION CENTRE, MARINA BAY SANDS
Introduction
1. It has indeed been my pleasure to be here with you at this morning's inaugural youth dialogue. We spoke about Singapore's energy constraints and why it's important for us to conserve energy and use it more efficiently.
2. The global energy landscape is changing even as we speak. Energy demand is increasing, particularly in Asia. Last year's nuclear accident in Japan prompted many countries to reconsider the use of nuclear energy. Economic difficulties in the US and Europe could also make support for renewable energy more uncertain.
3. Yet, there are also positive developments. The US has pioneered new drilling methods to extract unconventional gas in large quantities. This may increase global gas supplies in the near future. Research and development (R&D) on newer energy technologies has the potential to allow for cleaner energy sources to be rolled out on a large scale.
4. These are exciting times, and we in Singapore want to ensure that our energy industry remains vibrant and relevant even as the global energy landscape is changing.
Role of the Youth
5. We need the youths of today - youths like yourselves - to join in our effort to co-create a vibrant energy future for Singapore and think of new ideas, technologies and solutions. In your various capacities now and in the future, whether as part of the energy sector workforce or in energy R&D, whether as smart energy consumers at work or at home, each of you has an important part to play in the discourse on shaping a new energy future for Singapore.
6. Some of our youths from Singapore Polytechnic are already doing just that. Seah Jia Rong Lucas, Ruskin Ong Zhi Sheng and Tan Sing Hai took part in the Responsible Energy Advocates Programme (REAP) last year. REAP is an energy sustainability programme developed in partnership with National Environment Agency (NEA), South West Community Development Council (CDC), South East CDC and YTL Power Seraya. Observing that rainwater in Singapore is mainly discharged from rooftops, they brainstormed and developed an integrated renewable energy system. To meet the energy needs of high-rise buildings in Singapore, these youths were able to think of solutions to harness solar and hydro power to minimise the use of electricity.
7. There are also many career opportunities within the energy industry. As you think about your role in shaping the energy future for Singapore, you may wish to consider a career in the sector - ranging from the power utilities sector involved in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, to the oil and gas sector, and the emerging clean and renewable energy sector.
8. As a step towards equipping you with the necessary capabilities to tackle our energy challenges, I am pleased to announce that the Energy Market Authority (EMA), together with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and Newcastle University (NU), will be introducing a dedicated power engineering course in 2013 to train professional power engineers in Singapore. The two-year full-time course is targeted primarily at diploma graduates who are aspiring to upgrade to a degree and will have a comprehensive, industry-validated course curriculum. Graduates of this professional degree programme can look forward to a fulfilling career as a specialised power engineer closely involved in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to Singaporeans. I urge those of you who are eligible to consider applying to the course, which begins in September 2013, when the application period opens early next year.
Conclusion
10. Thank you.
By :EMA