5 September 2008, Singapore — The global energy landscape is changing rapidly against the backdrop of tightening supply, geopolitical tensions and environmental concerns.

The current issues relating to energy are energy security, economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, technology development and emerging opportunities.

Singapore will launch the International Energy Week (IEW) on 3 November 2008. The IEW will provide a timely platform for international and regional policy makers, academics and industry players involved in the energy sector to boil issues and distil ideas to help prepare for an uncertain energy climate ahead.

Jointly organised by Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the Energy Studies Institute, the IEW will comprise conferences at the Raffles City Convention Centre and a series of conferences, exhibitions, seminars, workshops and debates at other venues during the period 3 - 7 November 2008.

The IEW will be kicked off by the first meeting of the International Advisory Panel (IAP) to Singapore on Energy. The panel, which comprises thought-leaders, eminent persons and energy experts from around the world, will meet to discuss energy issues affecting Singapore and the world.

Mr Khoo Chin Hean, Chief Executive of the Energy Market Authority of Singapore said, "Singapore has to take an active, anticipatory and innovative approach to energy. We have conditions unique to a small country. We cannot solve global issues on our own. And solutions available to large countries are often not available to us. Cost efficiency is a strategic determinant of sustainability in the long term and one which is important to Singapore. The IEW seeks to bring together people from different countries and expertise. It is a cauldron to boil issues and distil ideas. This throws up wishes as well as opportunities. We want IEW to be an event that can bring better definition to these issues and provide strategic ideas for commerce and government."

“IEW seeks to bridge the gap between policy and commerce, connect future strategic concerns with the planning we do today," he added.

A total of 25 public and 30 private organisations have come together to be part of the IEW.

Mr Edwin Khew, Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore and organiser of the Singapore Energy Efficiency Investment Forum during the IEW, said, "Internationally, there is increasing cooperation to protect the environment as seen in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. As a global citizen, Singapore is a responsible player. It is timely that Singapore will initiate a gathering of organisations from the public and private sectors and individuals to promote clean and renewable energy and energy efficiency to power Singapore for a sustainable future. Furthermore we see sustainable energy not only as an environmental but also as an economic opportunity for Singapore companies."

As Singapore positions itself as a global energy hub, a series of energy-related events will also be held in the republic prior to the IEW. These include the Energy Carta's Asian Youth Energy Summit from 30–31 October 2008 and the annual Clean and Green Singapore 2008 organised by the National Environment Agency of Singapore from 31 October to 2 November 2008.

Programme highlights

The Singapore Energy Conference, which will take place from 4-5 November 2008, is the flagship event of IEW. The theme is "Powering Cities of the Future." Policy-makers and industry leaders from Japan, North America, United Kingdom and Singapore will be speaking on sustainable energy sources and technology; risks and opportunities for businesses; and integrated energy solutions to achieve sustainability in cities in the light of rising global energy demand and climate change.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew will deliver the inaugural Singapore Energy Lecture and Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Mr S. Iswaran will chair a Ministerial Dialogue during the Singapore Energy Conference.

Other prominent speakers are futurist Mr Peter Schwartz, Cofounder and Chairman of Global Business Network; Ms Eileen Claussen, President of the Pew Centre on Global Climate Change and Strategies for the Global Environment; industry luminaries like Mr Risto Rinne, President and CEO of Neste Oil and Mr Michael Dolan, Senior Vice President of Exxon Mobil Corporation; Prof John Deutch, an Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Mr Kenji Kobayashi, Managing Director of the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan.

During the IEW, delegates can look forward to seven conferences; and 24 energy-related events such as seminars, workshops, courses, debates, exhibitions, site visits to power stations and networking dinners.

The organisers expect a total of 2,500 participants locally and from around the world to attend IEW.

For more information and updates on IEW, please visit www.iew.com.sg. 


About the Energy Market Authority

Energy Market Authority (EMA) was formed on 1 April 2001 as a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry to forge a secure, long-term electricity industry that thrives on healthy competition. New market structures have been created to promote competition in the electricity and piped gas industries. EMA will also continue to promote cost-competitive outcomes for consumers by ensuring a level playing field for competition within the electricity and piped gas industries.

About the Energy Studies Institute

Energy Studies Institute (ESI) is a multi-disciplinary, autonomous, policy-oriented research institute established within the National University of Singapore. ESI provides independent, quality and timely policy research and analysis of regional and global energy trends and issues in energy economics, energy security and the geopolitical and environmental impact of energy.

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