The Energy Market Authority of Singapore held its first SIEW networking reception at the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.
The networking reception, supported by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), was an opportunity to gather insights and perspectives on Southeast Asia’s clean energy developments and relevant discussions at SIEW 2018. Renewable energy and related technologies took centre-stage, with many guests citing its growing importance to the region.
“Renewable energy is advancing with an unprecedented pace,” said Gürbüz Gönül, Acting Director, Country Support & Partnerships Division, at IRENA. “Technological advancements and progress, innovation in renewable energy technologies, improvements in the performance of renewable energy technologies as well as improved efficiencies has led to a drastic decline in the cost of renewables.”
“Everybody is aggressively achieving higher and higher targets of clean energy,” said Atul Nargund, Executive Vice President Southeast Asia &, Business Development (Singapore), Energy Division, at Sembcorp Industries Ltd.
In particular, Southeast Asia holds immense potential for the deployment of clean energy, not least due to the varied mix of renewable energy sources available to the region, highlighted Dr Per Christer Lund, Director, Innovation Norway Middle East. These span hydro, solar, and bio energy sources.
To enable widespread adoption of clean, renewable energy in both the public and private sectors, we must continue to address some of the bottlenecks, said Zayed Sustainability Prize winner Marcus Lim, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Ecosoftt. These include the implementation of market regulatory reforms and incentives for greater private sector involvement.
“In 2019, we will continue to see major developments in the oil and gas, clean energy, and the power sector," said Jonathan Goh, Director, External Relations, Energy Market Authority of Singapore. “We hope that the Singapore International Energy Week will continue to provide that premier platform for international collaboration, for key stakeholders to come together to discuss and debate about clean energy solutions for a low carbon energy future.”
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