The vital role of businesses, whether larger or small, in shaping the energy transition.
Sembcorp and SunGreenH2, two businesses with fundamentally different origin stories, share an unwavering commitment to driving the energy transition.
On the occasion of the Youth@SIEW Introduction on 27 October, Eddie Tan, Head, Operations & Performance Management, Renewables Business, Sembcorp Industries, shared that he uncovered his true calling while visiting his first wind farm in Australia, sparking a passion for clean energy. Tulika Raj, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, SunGreenH2, shifted from her previous role on offshore oil and gas rigs to the clean energy sector early in her career.
Both Sembcorp and SuGreenH2 have demonstrated an impressive track record in advancing the energy transition both on the domestic and global fronts. Their stories underscore the impactful and pivotal role that businesses—both small and big—play in the ongoing energy transition.
Sembcorp's renewables pursuit
Mr Tan shared that Sembcorp started as a multi-utility business, spanning power generation, waste management, water treatment, and more recently, renewables. He highlighted that the renewables business is one of the company's fastest-growing pillars, as evidenced from its diversified portfolio of solar, wind, and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) across Singapore, China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Oman, and the UK.
In Singapore, solar energy takes centre stage in the net zero transition, with Sembcorp playing a pivotal role by deploying solar and ESS. The company has achieved 565 megawatt-peak in gross solar capacity and 285 megawatt-hour in ESS capacity.
Notable projects in Singapore under Sembcorp's portfolio include:
- Sembcorp Tengeh Floating Solar Farm: This project overcomes land constraints and has increased solar yield through avoidance of shading and heating losses.
- A 285 megawatt-hour ESS on Jurong Island: Deemed Southeast Asia's largest ESS, this helps mitigate solar intermittency, enhance grid stability, and support wider solar deployment.
SunGreenH2's innovative hydrogen journey
Formed in 2021, SunGreenH2 seized the opportunity presented by the emerging hydrogen market. Recognising the need for more zero carbon energy alternatives, the company incorporated nanotechnology into electrolyser components, enhancing the efficiency of green hydrogen production and scalability.
Ms Raj highlighted that SunGreenH2 has been awarded one of the top 50 clean technology companies to watch globally. The company has received an award from Bloomberg New Energy Finance for its pioneering approach to hydrogen production that could have industry-wide implications.
She credited Singapore’s innovation ecosystem, encompassing academia and industry, for turning her vision into reality. "Take your idea, take it into the very pillars of Singapore’s Institutes of Higher Learning, research institutes, and the polytechnics—you will find those pools of talent, research, and industry professionals who are working on or interested in the solutions you may have an idea around.”
Exciting jobs awaiting young talents
Mr Eddie outlined four types of roles available at Sembcorp open to young talents. These cover:
- Design & Engineering: Design and research engineers who assess site suitability for solar deployment.
- Planning & Procurement: Purchase of solar panels at strategic times to ensure commercial viability and scheduling of project works such that public nuisance is minimised.
- Project Management: Project engineers who communicate with contracted ground workers to achieve project success.
- Operations & Maintenance: Quality assurance and quality checks, turn-ons, and ensuring 20- to 25-year lifespan of assets.
Ms Raj mentioned that SunGreenH2 is seeking a diverse array of talents, including mechanical, electrical, process, and application engineers, as well as business development and marketing professionals. She highlighted patience and perseverance as essential qualities for prospective SunGreenH2 employees. "We can only power our innovation if we have the right skills. We are proud to say that our company is made of problem solvers who think creatively and are very perseverant in their approach to problem solving."
A bright energy future ahead
Both Mr Tan and Ms Raj shared inspiring narratives of their companies' endeavours in realizing a net zero future.
Sembcorp’s story represents a traditional utility's expansion into renewables, relying on technology and digitalisation to optimise its processes. SunGreenH2’s journey illustrates how a small, scientifically-driven company achieved international acclaim in the clean energy sector through sheer perseverance, passion, and problem-solving.
Irrespective of whether the youth in the audience choose to join Sembcorp or SunGreenH2, they will find a fulfilling opportunity to contribute to the energy transition, both locally and on a global scale.