Boost for renewable energy

By Tania Tan
		Danish wind power company Vestas Wind Systems officially launched its $500 million wind research centre here on Monday. -- PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

WIND power is picking up as Singapore breezes ahead in its drive to become a global clean energy centre.

Danish wind power company Vestas Wind Systems officially launched its $500 million wind research centre here on Monday.

The government will also give research a boost with a $25 million fund to turn green research into marketable applications. It will be administered by the Energy Market Authority.

Vestas' centre, which is located in the newly-launched Fusionopolis in Ayer Rajah, will employ about 300 researchers and engineers by 2012, up from about 100 currently.

A 'rich talent pool' of engineers, designers and chemists make Singapore an ideal choice for research, said Vestas Technology R&D president Finn Strom Madsen.

Vestas makes about 23 per cent of the world's wind generation equipment, with global demand for wind power expected to grow by 30 per cent annually.

Singaporeans are 'probably not going to see any finished wind mills' said Mr Madsen, as the country lacks sufficient wind power.

Wind energy is harnessed by 40-storey tall wind turbines that rotate and convert power generated by moving blades into electricity.

Space constraints also mean that Singapore is unlikely to use wind technology as a source of energy, as wind farms require vast amounts of land.

But an R&D centre is nonetheless good news for Singapore, said executive director of local think tank Energy Studies Institute, Chou Siaw Kiang.

Wind power is becoming very popular in Asia-Pacific countries like China, India and Australia, as these countries look for non-polluting energy sources to satisfy demand, explained Prof Chou.

'It's going to be big business, which Singapore can tap on,' he added.

Crude oil prices peaked at US$140 per barrel (S$205.80) in March, due to spiralling demand and speculation from traders.

Despite the recent dip in prices to about US$60 per barrel, studies have shown that the cost of oil is still on the upswing. Fossil fuels are also the biggest culprit in climate change.

'It's a global issue necessitating a global solution,' said Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang on Monday evening at at the welcome dinner for the inaugural Singapore International Energy Week.

Over 2,500 delegates will be in town for the five-day event, which will feature seminars, workshops and cutting edge technology for renewable energy, including solar, wind and fuel cells.

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew will also deliver the first Singapore Energy Lecture today.

'Singapore's lack of energy options means that dilemmas...will be felt more acutely by us,' said Mr Lim.

In short, more cheap and clean energy solutions are needed, he noted.

To add another filip to the industry, the government has set up $25 million fund to help deliver clean energy research from lab to store shelf over the next five years, said Mr Lim.

The Energy Research and Development Fund will provide financial support to help companies equip themselves with the expertise and infrastructure for such studies, as well as testbed green technology projects.

Clean energy sector is a key growth area which is expected to generate 7,000 jobs by 2015.