Private sector R&D crucial to Singapore’s energy efficiency: Amy Khor
Natalie Tan
THE private sector is most crucial in introducing new and innovative green solutions to improve the energy efficiency of the built environment, said Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor on Wednesday (May 17).
Speaking at the 16th Annual General Meeting of the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore, she emphasised the need for the private sector’s involvement in researching urban solutions, such as cost-efficient cooling and ventilation, smart-energy management strategies, and smart building management.
Dr Khor said that the private sector plays a large role in meeting Singapore’s “80-80-80 in 2030” targets for the built environment, particularly through research and development.
The “80-80-80” targets refer to making 80 per cent of existing buildings by Gross Floor Area (GFA) green; making 80 per cent of new developments Super Low Energy (SLE) buildings; and making an 80 per cent improvement in energy efficiency from 2005 levels, all by 2030.
Private-sector involvement in developing new SLE buildings is also encouraged through incentives and grants, such as the Built Environment Transformation GFA Incentive Scheme, which rewards up to 3 per cent additional GFA if companies are able to achieve SLE status.
Besides incentives, she noted other support schemes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to start their sustainability journeys, “not just in terms of green assets, but (also in terms of) green projects and offering solutions”.
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Dr Khor also addressed the decarbonisation of Singapore’s energy mix. The country is currently most reliant on natural gases as a source of energy; she pointed out the need to introduce more renewable energy into the mix.
She listed three ways to do this: By further investing in solar energy; importing regional power grids; and researching low-carbon alternatives such as hydrogen, and derivatives such as ammonia.
Noting that the transport sector currently accounts for about 15 per cent of Singapore’s carbon emissions, Dr Khor – who is also Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Transport – also said that “the most promising” area within the sector is its electrification.
There has been a significant increase in electric vehicle adoption, with the take-up for new electric car registrations reaching around 11.8 per cent in 2022. This number has since been surpassed in 2023. She estimates it will continue rising in the coming years.
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