Singapore-IRENA Forum Calls for Urgent Collaboration to Triple Renewables by 2030

The Singapore-IRENA High-Level Forum brought together key players in the energy sector to discuss Southeast Asia’s energy transition.

As Southeast Asia aims to better utilise its vast renewable resources, the Forum highlighted the urgency of building regional connectivity, harmonising standards, and advancing technological solutions to achieve the 2030 renewable energy targets.

Southeast Asia’s renewable potential remains largely untapped

Southeast Asia is home to a wealth of renewable energy resources, especially for wind, solar, and hydropower. However, in his welcome remarks, Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, pointed out that much of this capacity remained underutilised in the region.

“To harness it, we need to achieve greater regional energy interconnectivity with countries exporting renewable energy to places with high demand,” Dr Tan said.

Dr Tan also emphasised the importance of overland and subsea power cables as the backbone of an interconnected ASEAN.

“Without these power grids and cables, our vision of cross-border electricity trading will remain a vision and out of reach,” Dr Tan added. 

Infrastructure is critical for energy transition

According to Francesco La Camera, Director-General, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)’s, about US$21.5 trillion is needed by 2030 to deploy renewable energy at scale, enhance grid flexibility, and modernise energy systems.

Mr La Camera said that without a substantial financial commitment, energy grids may become overwhelmed by the additional renewable capacity, causing bottlenecks that would slow the transition.

In his address, Mr La Camera, brought the challenges of energy transition into sharp focus when he revealed the investments required in a successful energy transition. 

Harmonising standards is key to accelerating energy transition

Christophe Inglin, Vice Chairman, Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS), highlighted the importance of harmonising energy standards across Southeast Asia to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

Regional cooperation, particularly in integrating national grids and aligning energy targets, was essential for overcoming the logistical and technical challenges of renewable energy deployment. Mr Inglin pointed out that cross-border energy sharing frameworks would require countries to align their regulatory standards, grid codes, and certification processes to facilitate the seamless flow of energy across borders. 

Advancements in storage technology and smart grids will transform energy distribution

Mr Inglin highlighted the promise of smart grids and energy storage technologies: “These innovations help address the intermittency of renewable energy resources, allowing us to store the solar or wind energy when it exceeds demand and employ it later. Similarly, smart grids and grid interconnectivity are reshaping the way we distribute energy across borders, optimising energy flow, reducing losses and enhancing regional energy security.”

In closing, Mr Inglin said that the Singapore-IRENA High-level Forum was part of a larger global platform to discuss the future of energy, and that the discussion there would help countries work towards their Paris Agreement climate commitments. 

China is committed to regional energy transition

In his pre-recorded address, H.E. Zhang Jianhua, Administrator, National Energy Administration of the People’s Republic of China, acknowledged the global challenges of balancing energy security with energy transition. 

He commended Southeast Asia's efforts in advancing power connectivity and renewable energy utilisation to address these challenges.

Additionally, H.E. Mr Zhang outlined specific ways China could support regional energy connectivity. These include working with different countries to build an open, secure, efficient, and inclusive energy industry, and strengthening partnerships on decarbonisation solutions. 

While the path ahead requires substantial investment and coordinated effort—from harmonising standards to building crucial infrastructure—the region's commitment to partnerships spells optimism for a sustainable future. 

Stay tuned for live updates! Follow @SIEW_sg on Telegram and Twitter for the latest as we dive into the conversations shaping Day 2.