Building Coalitions to Drive the Energy Transition

The SIEW Summit Keynote 4 session was presented by Bas Verkooijen, Chief Executive Officer of Advario. He shared his insights on the critical steps needed to accelerate the global energy collaboration. Mr Verkooijen stressed the importance of building “coalitions of the willing” – partnerships aligned in a shared commitment to take concrete actions in driving sustainable progress.

1. The urgent need for accelerated technology innovation

Mr Verkooijen emphasised that while significant progress has been made, the current pace of the energy transition remains insufficient to meet rising global energy demands and the escalating impact of climate change. "We must be honest about where we stand, what barriers remain, and what is needed to accelerate progress," he stated.

He added that technological innovation is crucial to achieve economies of scale and make sustainable solutions more affordable and accessible globally.

"There is a strong appetite for green investments, but without long-term offtake agreements, final investment decisions are stalling," Mr Verkooijen noted. He also urged all stakeholders – public and private – to adopt a global perspective.

 2. Importance of cross-sector partnerships

Underscoring the complexity of the energy transition, Mr Verkooijen asserted that success depends on cultivating strong partnerships across the entire value chain, encompassing industries, governments, and countries.

"What we need are coalitions; coalitions of the willing. Companies, governments, and institutions must come together, take a leading role, and collaborate with a shared vision," he emphasised.

Mr Verkooijen also highlighted that government policies and regulations are crucial to provide a stable, long-term foundation for investments. "To drive real progress, we need a collaborative approach that aligns diverse stakeholders," he said. "Success won't come from individual efforts alone, but from strong partnerships across the value chain, industries, governments, and countries."

Mr Verkooijen showcased several partnerships that exemplify these “coalitions of the willing”. In the port of Antwerp in Belgium, Advario is partnering with Fluxys to develop a large scale green ammonia import facility. It combines Advario’s longstanding experience handling and storing ammonia with Fluxys’ expertise in natural gas.

He ended by putting the focus back on Singapore as a viable example of strong public-private sector partnership – where there is specific clarity in vision and direction of investments. 

As the world grapples with the intensifying impact of climate change, Mr. Verkooijen’s SIEW Summit keynote provided a compelling roadmap for stakeholders across industries and borders to join forces and drive meaningful process in the energy transition. 

Stay tuned as the conversation evolves throughout the day. Follow @SIEW_sg on Telegram and Twitter for key insights, as we navigate Day 1 together.