Clean energy discussions and solutions for the Asian region take center stage this week in Singapore as the annual Clean Energy Expo Asia (CEEA) 2011 Trade Fair and Conference begins today till 3 Nov, and is officially launched by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water Resources.
Jointly organised by the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) and Koelnmesse, in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), CEEA is the leading platform in Singapore that gathers clean energy industry players and government leaders from around the world together to share and discuss knowledge, issues, technologies and innovative solutions that will help shape the future of clean energy in Asia.
CEEA Trade Fair and Conference
This year’s CEEA Trade Fair hosts about 170 exhibiting companies from 26 countries, with 6 country pavilions from Canada, Europe, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Switzerland. Exhibitors showcase clean energy solutions including solar energy, energy efficiency, biomass, biogas, biofuel, and electric vehicles.
The CEEA Conference will see over 130 international speakers share their insights on the future of energy through discussion topics on clean energy outlook, renewable energy technologies and commercialization, sustainable mobility, clean energy financing, project case studies, and energy efficiency.
Address by Asian Development Bank
In his opening remarks, Mr Gil-Hong Kim, Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Division, ADB, shared that global investments in clean energy are higher than before, reaching a record of $243 billion in 2010, as reported by the Pew Environment Group, and experts have predicted that Asia will become the top destination for clean energy investment in no time.
In response to the twin challenges of energy security and climate change, Asian countries such as South Korea, China and India have begun a steady shift towards low carbon economies. Mr Kim shared that ADB has launched several initiatives to help developing countries in this transition, for example, the Asia Solar Energy Initiative would help develop 3,000 MW of solar electricity by 2013 across the region.
He concluded that there are opportunities in Asia, but the region needs financing, technology, innovation and willpower to overcome the challenges ahead.
Address by Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore
Mr Edwin Khew, Chairman, SEAS, in his welcome address, shared that SEAS is looking at setting up a service centre cum incubator for cleantech companies interested to set up in Singapore, in order to help them on information, market intelligence, setting up cost, potential partners, and equity funding.
He added that SEAS has organised a forum to bring together clean energy projects that will be presented to a panel of investors during the conference. There will also be the launch of an online platform, Green Deal Flow, to bridge the gap between green projects and financing. These initiatives by SEAS would help to jump-start the clean energy transition without delay.
Address by Malaysia’s Minister for Energy, Green Technology and Water
In his keynote opening address, Dato Sri Peter Chin, Malaysia’s Minister for Energy, Green Technology and Water, gave an insight on Malaysia’s renewable energy policy and the government’s hope of boosting renewable energy output from its current 0.5% to 11% of the fuel mix by 2020.
The key thrust to achieve the target is through the enactment of the Renewable Energy Act 2011 and the implementation of a Feed-in Tariff (FiT) mechansim, which enables premium tariffs to be paid for electricity generated from clean energy sources.
He added that the government’s efforts would create other benefits such as generating RM70 billion of revenue from renewable energy power, RM1.75 billion in tax receipts for the government, and the creation of 52,000 jobs for the economy.
About the Singapore International Energy Week
Clean Energy Expo Asia 2011 is part of the 4th Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2011, which takes place from 31 October to 4 November. SIEW is the leading platform for senior policymakers, industry leaders and academics to deliberate and exchange perspectives, strategies and solutions to major issues impacting the global energy agenda. Visit the SIEW website for more information.
Image: Clean Energy Expo Asia
