Questions
Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry with the new International Energy Agency (IEA) regional office in Singapore (a) how will the Ministry facilitate engagements between the IEA, local businesses and research institutions to foster public-private partnerships in the energy sector; (b) whether there are plans to attract or foster innovation in clean and renewable energy technologies; and (c) what impact does the Ministry foresee the regional office have on the local and regional energy markets, particularly in terms of sustainability and energy transition.
Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether there are potential collaborations between Singapore and the International Energy Agency (IEA) facilitated by its new regional office in Singapore, particularly in areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency and technology innovation; and (b) what capacity-building or knowledge-sharing programmes are planned in collaboration with the IEA to enhance Singapore’s expertise in energy management and sustainability practices.
Written Answer by Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong
1. Singapore is honoured to host the first International Energy Agency (IEA) Regional Cooperation Centre outside its headquarters in Paris, France. The Centre will serve as a hub for the IEA’s activities and engagements in Asia. This development builds on Singapore’s longstanding collaborations with the IEA to share knowledge and build capabilities in our region.
2. The Regional Cooperation Centre will provide technical advice and policy support to governments and regional bodies to accelerate the energy transition, for example, through scaling up the deployment of renewable energy and other clean energy technologies.
3. In Singapore, MTI and EMA will facilitate the Centre’s engagements with companies and organisations in the finance and sustainability ecosystems. There will be opportunities for Singapore-based companies and organisations to collaborate with the IEA to address the region’s needs for green financing and climate sustainability solutions.