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| Singapore News // Weekend, September 6, 2008 |
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ESTHER NG
estherng@mediacorp.com .sg
SOME Singaporeans think the solution to our energy woes is solar energy, since we get sunshine all year round. But the answer is not that simple.
. Are sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind and biofuels appropriate for every country? Are these alternatives really as “clean” as claimed?
. In adopting them, do they bring up a host of other problems? And should South-east Asia go nuclear?
. These are some of the issues to be explored when Singapore hosts the inaugural International Energy Week (IEW) in November.
. Like the first Singapore International Water Week held in June, the IEW — which organisers hope will position the Republic as a global energy hub — involves a series of conferences, seminars and workshops from Nov 3 to 7.
. The main highlight will be the Singapore Energy Lecture by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.
. Organised by the Energy Market Authority of Singapore and the Energy Studies Institute, the IEW is expected to host some 2,500 delegates comprising academics, policymakers and businesses.
. According to the authority’s chief executive, Mr Khoo Chin Hean, the problem is not a lack of sustainable energy choices, but whether these can be harvested efficiently or are right for every country.
. He said: “We may think we have a lot of sunshine in Singapore ,but we have lots of cloud, so, we can’t rely on solar energy. Also, you need lots of land for this. Take for instance solar farms in the US — the Mojave Desert — lots of land there and not a cloud in the sky. So, solar energy works there.”
. Also, Singapore’s small size and its sheltered harbour does not allow us to tap on wind energy or geothermal energy, he noted. “With IEW, we hope to find solutions.”
. Other activities IEW will feature include exhibitions at the Singapore Science Centre, a Solar Technology Centre Exhibition at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and a fuel cell community exhibition at Temasek Polytechnic.
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