Speech by MOS Low Yen Ling at Launch of The Energy Story Exhibition

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good morning to all of you. I am delighted to be here today at the Science Centre for the launch of this net-zero energy exhibition. This comes at an opportune time as Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 was recently unveiled this year.  One of the plan’s key pillars is to have an Energy Reset – that will change the way Singapore produces and uses energy. This exhibition gives all of us a chance to learn about our country’s energy journey and explore how we can achieve our energy goals to secure a sustainable future. It is not a zero-sum game and can be achieved.

Singapore’s Energy Transformation

2. All of us are becoming digital natives, not just our youths. As the Chief Executive of Science Centre Tit Meng had mentioned, by just merely sitting and not doing anything, we are using energy. We are all checking our mobile devices from time-to-time. Today, we are so used to powering our devices and having the lights come on at the flick of a switch. More and more Singaporeans are having smart homes, with lights and sounds coming on at the command of a voice. However, we must not take the reliable energy supply we have for granted. This is not something that happens by chance. The exhibition will allow us to know all the different industry partners, who have come together to make this happen. Much effort goes into ensuring a continuous supply of power to serve our economic and daily activities. In addition, we have to be more mindful than ever about the impact of our energy use on the environment.

3. Many of us would have read about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) report that was recently released. In recent years, climate change has sped up, and one of the underlying factors is carbon emissions from energy consumption. The recent IPCC report outlines the consequences of climate inaction and we see this happening at a rapid pace – frequent extreme weather events, heavy rains, high temperatures, droughts and severe storms. If countries leave the situation to chance, all these events will occur at an accelerated pace. As a small, low-lying island, Singapore is vulnerable to the impact of climate change, especially rising sea levels. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke about this during one of his NDR speeches. To mitigate this, we need to review and change the way we use energy, and take steps to realise a cleaner and greener tomorrow.

4. As we do this, we also face an “Energy Trilemma”. Like a dilemma, the Energy Trilemma is having to make tough choices to manage the trade-offs between the options of: 1) energy security, 2) affordability and 3) environmental sustainability. For instance, focusing on energy security could raise the cost of energy or make the environment less sustainable.

5. To attain our goal of an Energy Reset, the Government is taking a ‘whole of nation’ approach and working with everyone – including  industry players, research institutions and also the  larger community – to change the way Singapore produces and consumes energy.

About the Energy Story Exhibition

6. This is where the Energy Story exhibition plays a critical role. It will help Singaporeans learn about Singapore’s evolving use of energy and how we can overcome today’s challenges to achieve a more sustainable future.

7. This exhibition is also an excellent way for students to understand the topic of energy in a real and applicable manner. It brings alive what is taught in school, and stimulates their learning and understanding of energy with experiential elements.

8. We are all here today because we are good friends of the Singapore Science Centre. We know that for decades the Science Centre has done a great job partnering, not just Government agencies but also industry partners, to bring STEM concepts alive in a fun, engaging and dynamic way. Similarly, this exhibition will also make science come alive in a fun, engaging and relevant manner. I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to parents and educators in our schools to visit the exhibition. One of the interesting example includes actual solar cell samples contributed by the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) that are being displayed at the exhibition. Visitors can, at the touch of a button, activate a hydrogen fuel system to power up a fan. This exhibition not just delivers lessons on energy but also offers a great platform for families and friends to learn and bond together.

Get passionate about energy

9. I hope this exhibition will inspire many, especially young Singaporeans, to step forward as energy champions. We welcome their ideas and contributions to co-create solutions for sustainability.

10. The Singapore Energy Grand Challenge (Youth) is one such initiative, where students can come together and present their ideas and vision for a carbon-free Singapore. In a fun and dynamic manner, the students were required to submit Minecraft stories. We worked with Microsoft to have our students submit their vision for a carbon free Singapore. I am looking forward to hear from the finalists of this year’s Grand Challenge (Youth) who are from Dunman High School. I would like to encourage everyone, especially our youths, to actively participate in the various activities organised by EMA. You can join us and contribute to our energy reset!

11. As Singapore’s energy sector continues to evolve and more clean energy technologies are adopted. You would have read recently that PM Lee visited Tengeh Reservoir that is covered by hectares of solar panels. A lot of HDB blocks will also have solar panels deployed, it is therefore vital to train our workforce with the necessary skills. The Government is committed to investing in the training and quality of our energy sector. We are working closely with industry partners like SP Group to roll out training and leadership development programmes. The clean energy sector has many good and promising jobs. I urge our youths to take this opportunity at the exhibition to learn more about this exciting area and consider developing a career in the rising clean energy industry.

12. Our clean energy transition is taking place at an opportune time when more youths are aware and very passionate about the environment and fighting climate change. I hope many of you will turn this passion into a lifelong quest – whether as your career or as part of your daily lifestyle. We look forward to many “energy stories” that you will tell – of how each and every one of us can play a part in making our world cleaner and more sustainable for years to come. 

Conclusion

13. I would like to congratulate the Science Centre Singapore, Energy Market Authority and SP Group on your successful launch of this exhibition. I wish everyone a very pleasant and enjoyable time at the exhibition. In the meantime stay safe and stay well. Thank you.