International Energy Agency to open 1st regional centre in S'pore to spur clean energy transition

The International Energy Agency (IEA) inaugurated its first Regional Cooperation Centre in Singapore earlier today (Oct. 21, 2024).

This will be the IEA's first regional office outside of its headquarters in Paris, France.

The announcement was made at the opening of the 17th Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW), which will be running from Oct. 21 to 25.

Launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, IEA Governing Board Chairman Anders Hoffmann, and IEA Chair of Standing Group of Global Energy Dialogue Ursula Borak, the opening of the Singapore office marked a significant milestone in the agency's history.

First office outside of Europe

First announced at the IEA's 50th anniversary celebrations in February earlier this year, the centre looks to enhance energy security and bolster clean energy transitions in the Southeast Asian region.

According to a press release by the Ministry for Trade and Industry (MTI), Energy Market Authority (EMA), and IEA, the hub will serve as a node "for IEA's activities and regional engagement, providing policy guidance, technical assistance and capacity building" in the deployment of renewables and clean energy technologies.

The office is set to be located in the Central Business District, and will be the first energy-focused international organisation Singapore is hosting.

"Singapore may be small," Gan said at the opening, "But we stand ready to play our part in the energy transition."

"To increase the sustainability of our power supply, we will need to develop and study every possible decarbonisation pathway, while safeguarding our energy security and ensuring cost competitiveness."

Gan also underscored the importance of global cooperation: "We cannot do it alone. International collaboration is critical."

Tan noted as well, that this "marks the start of a new chapter in our close partnership with the IEA and underscores Singapore’s commitment to supporting regional energy goals."

"Historic occasion"

Describing the opening as a "historic" moment, Birol expounded on why the international agency had chosen to expand its office, and on the significance of the move.

Birol also highlighted the agency’s evolving definition of energy security, which now includes clean energy, stating that energy security today requires understanding not only renewable technologies but also traditional fuels like coal and natural gas.

"You cannot understand one single technology without understanding the entire picture."

Birol also elaborated on two pertinent questions: Why open an office in Southeast Asia, and specifically, why Singapore?

Why Southeast Asia?

Latest analysis by IEA indicates that energy demand in the region is set to grow by more than 60 per cent by 2050, with a continued reliance on fossil fuels based on current policies.

Hence, there is a need for countries to take decisive action to improve energy efficiency, accelerate renewable power generation and switch to low emissions fuels.

Citing a personal anecdote on how Prime Minister Lawrence Wong — then chief executive of the EMA — had enlightened him on the region's energy potential back in 2001, Birol acknowledged that being on the ground will help IEA to improve its overall understanding of the region.

"There is no substitute [than] to be on the ground."

Why Singapore?

Despite there being "many other good locations" for the opening of a regional cooperation office, Birol said the decision was made due to Singapore's strategic location.

"Singapore sits at the heart of Southeast Asia. It is a meeting point for international and business activities, and the regional hub for sustainable financing and innovation," shared Birol.

The partnership also marks the extensive relationship between the Singapore government and the IEA, he added.

Singapore first joined the IEA in 2016, and has since established a Singapore-IEA Regional Training Hub and held a Singapore-IEA Ministerial Forum in 2016.

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Top image from SIEW 2024