Youth@SIEW Address: Igniting Singapore's Sustainable Energy Future with Youth Power

Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, celebrated Singapore's emerging young talent as "catalysts of change" in the energy transition.

A pre-speech round of Kahoot!, a mid-speech pop quiz with prizes, and an enthusiastic crowd—these were the engaging scenes at Friday morning's Youth@SIEW. Guest-of-honour, Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, delivered her address to a packed audience of students, educators and industry leaders. She emphasised the pivotal role that Singapore's youths play in the nation's energy transition.

Here are the key highlights of her speech:

1. Youths are the vanguard of Singapore’s energy transition.

   Ms Low began her address by acknowledging the vast potential and crucial role that Singapore’s youth have in propelling the country to the next stage of the energy transition. She humorously noted: "We always save the best for last, and that is why Youth@SIEW is organised on a Friday morning to make sure that we give you a sneak preview of the exciting jobs in this sector."

   Ms Low also highlighted key developments in Singapore’s energy transition:

   • Singapore has surpassed 1 gigawatt-peak (GWp) of solar deployment, a significant step towards achieving the national target of 2GWp by 2030.
   • The nation anticipates a promising 4GW of clean energy imports by 2035, accounting for about 30% of the country's energy demand.
   • Singapore is exploring introducing hydrogen-ready power plants into its power system, with the aim to lowering the country's carbon emissions.
   • Energy Storage Systems are being expanded to effectively manage solar intermittency and bolster power grid resilience.

   During her speech, Ms Low engaged the youths in the audience with a pop quiz about Singapore's recent floating solar photovoltaic (PV) system in Tengah Reservoir, launched in 2021. The crowd correctly guessed that the PV system is:

   • 45 hectares, or about 45 football fields large
   • Contains 122,000 solar panels

   Generates up to 60 megawatt-peak (MWp) of solar energy

2. New jobs in clean energy

   Returning to the topic of future potential, Ms Low emphasised that Singapore’s clean energy workforce is projected to increase by 80 percent come 2032, to meet the energy goals and accelerate transformation. She assured the audience that "exciting jobs are awaiting you".

   On the digital and design front, she highlighted job prospects in areas such as solar systems and Energy Storage System designs. Singapore will require expertise in EDGE solution developers, and EDGE connectivity engineers. Beyond solar, Singapore will need professionals in battery energy and grid technologies to drive energy innovations.

3. Nurturing and celebrating Singapore’s young talents

   Ms Low also acknowledged 2023’s Energy-Industry Scholarship (EIS) recipients Foo Dun Liang, Mohamad Taufiq Bin Mohamad Yunos, Muhammad Fahmi Bin Yusof, and Brandon Teo. All four are final-year electrical and mechanical engineering students at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. They will receive financial support for their studies and the opportunity to join sponsoring organisation YTL PowerSeraya upon graduation.

   She also recognised the second batch of seven Energy Ambassadors. Since joining the Energy Ambassador Programme, she noted that these exceptional individuals have participated in at least five activities designed to nurture industry expertise and inspire fellow students.

   She also congratulated the winners of the Singapore Energy Grand Challenge (Youth/Senior) for their imaginative entries envisioning a 2050 net zero cityscape. Additionally, she looked forward to the finalists in the Institute of Higher Learning category presenting their innovative energy solutions in response to real-world challenges.

   In closing, Ms Low left the audience with an optimistic note, reminding them that they are the "catalysts of change" for building the country's sustainable future. "Together, we can truly accelerate our energy transition and make net zero a reality here in Singapore."

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