Singapore to grow thought leadership in cleantech

SINGAPORE, which is becoming increasingly attractive for international clean technology (cleantech) companies, now hopes to grow in thought leadership in the sector by setting up a Sustainable Energy Centre of Excellence (SECOE).

The SECOE, jointly launched by the Asian Development Bank, International Enterprise Singapore and the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS), will deliver training programmes to equip regional policymakers with capabilities in disciplines such as energy efficiency, renewable energy financing and energy access in rural areas.

It will also provide a platform for sharing of experiences and networking, and to connect cleantech companies in Singapore to projects in the region, said Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran on Tuesday.

Noting that Asia is now at the centre of global clean energy growth, and that South-east Asia is also seeing a growing renewables market, Mr Iswaran said at the Asia Clean Energy Summit that Singapore has become a good location for international cleantech companies to develop key capabilities and serve markets in the region.

A number of new investments across solar, fuel cells, smart grids and testing services recently secured by the Economic Development Board will create over 100 professional jobs in total, and S$150 million in cumulative business spending over the next five years, he added.

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