Green is in: Singapore’s energy sector gets $100m R&D boost

Inexpensive energy solutions are on the agenda.

As a country with limited natural resources, Singapore is especially susceptible to energy challenges. This is why the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), yesterday revealed that the government is pouring $100 million for energy research and development.

The two major energy R&D initiatives under this program are the Building Energy Efficiency RD&D Hub and the Green Data Centre Research Hub Programme, which will receive funding totalling $100 million.

This is part of the government’s five national energy technology roadmaps that will guide government agencies in formulating their technology master plans and funding initiatives to secure Singapore's energy future and address climate change challenges.

The energy technology roadmaps are part of efforts under the Energy National Innovation Challenge (ENIC) announced in 2011 to bring significant changes to Singapore's energy landscape in a whole-of-government effort.

The goals of the ENIC are to develop cost-competitive energy solutions that can be deployed within 20 years to improve Singapore's energy efficiency, reduce its carbon emissions and broaden its energy options to sustain economic growth.

“Development of the national technology roadmaps is an on-going effort. Two new roadmaps are currently in the pipeline - the Electro-mobility (E-mobility) Roadmap and the Solid Waste Management Roadmap led by the Land Transport Authority and the NEA respectively,” noted the National Climate Change Secretariat.