Energy efficiency promises benefits for Singapore's energy trilemma of economic competitiveness, energy security and environmental sustainability, said Bernard Nee, Assistant Chief Executive of Singapore's Energy Market Authority (EMA).
In his keynote address, Nee, who oversees the Energy Planning and Development Division, noted that when it came to energy sources, "most choices, while improving on one of the dimensions, create challenges in one or both of the other dimensions". He cited coal as an example of an energy option that, while abundant and cheap, is a known source of carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.
Speaking at the 4th Annual European Business Forum during SIEW 2012, he said that in light of this, energy efficiency has taken on added importance as it could have a positive effect on all three aspects of the trilemma.
As a resource-limited city-state, it is clear that "Singapore must do more with less", he said, adding that the country has been taking several steps to promote energy efficiency, including the Energy Conservation Act which is due to come into effect in April 2013, and aims to improve energy efficiency in the industry and transportation sectors.
The government has also established the Energy Efficiency Programme Office (or E2PO), a multi-agency committee which seeks to promote and facilitate the adoption of energy efficiency measures in Singapore. Thus far, E2PO's efforts include conducting sector-specific benchmarking exercises to showcase best practices in energy efficiency. Other efforts are organising the Energy Efficiency National Partnership to aid in capability development, and supporting pilot and test-bedding projects in energy-efficient technologies.
Nee reminded participants that although energy efficiency is not a new concept, the government needs partners such as the European Business Forum to collectively develop effective solutions for a sustainable energy future.
By :Yeo Yong Kiat, EMA