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A new International Advisory Panel for Clean Energy to hold inaugural meeting in June 2008.
1. The private sector can look forward to tapping on S$20 million to offset part of the capital costs of installing solar technologies in new building projects with the launch of the Solar Capability Scheme (SCS). This was announced by the Economic Development Board (EDB) today at SEMICON Singapore 2008, and follows after Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Mr S. Iswaran’s Parliamentary statement on the 3rd of March 2008.
2. The SCS, which is the latest programme by the Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO), seeks to build up the capabilities of companies such as those engaged in engineering, architecture and system integration through increased adoption of solar energy technologies by lead users in Singapore.
3. The Scheme also encourages innovative design and integration of solar technologies into energy efficient buildings. The Scheme applies to new building developments in the private sector which meet a minimum Green Mark Gold standard , a benchmarking system administered by the Building & Construction Authority (BCA). Applications for existing buildings undergoing extensive retrofit will be considered on a case by case basis.
4. “The Solar Capability Scheme enlarges the 'practice field' for our solar energy ecosystem to build up industry expertise in the implementation of solar energy solutions. We believe that this scheme will go a long way in building up critical capabilities among various players in the solar energy ecosystem including system integrators, architects, engineers and developers.
5. “The implementation of capabilities nurtured under the scheme will be exportable as there is growing demand internationally in eco-friendly developments. These capabilities will also support wider adoption of solar energy in Singapore as its cost continues to fall," said Mr Ko Kheng Hwa, Managing Director of the EDB and Executive Director of CEPO.
6. The amount of financial support for each qualifying project will be assessed on factors such as innovation, design, effectiveness and skills development in the proposed solutions. Financial support will range between 30 to 40 per cent of the capital cost of the solar solution and capped at one million dollars per project.
7. The SCS is one of many initiatives by CEPO to grow the solar industry in Singapore. One complementary CEPO initiative is the S$17 million Clean Energy Research and Test-bedding (CERT) programme which was launched in August 2007. CERT aims to provide opportunities for government agencies to partner private companies to develop and trial Clean Energy applications and solutions using government buildings and facilities in Singapore. So far, five government agencies have confirmed their participation in CERT, including projects such as BCA’s Zero Energy Building, PUB’s Marina Barrage and upgrading projects by HDB.
8. Last year, the government announced that a total of S$350 million from various agencies to support the development of the Clean Energy industry. Singapore aims to grow the Clean Energy industry to generate S$1.7 billion in value-added and 7,000 jobs by 2015, across a broad range of areas, including solar power, fuel cells, wind power, energy efficiency and carbon services.
Formation of Clean Energy International Advisory Panel
9. In addition, CEPO also announced the formation of the Clean Energy International Advisory Panel (IAP) which will have its inaugural meeting in Singapore on 19-20 June 2008. The Clean Energy IAP was formed to advise CEPO on the overall development of the Clean Energy industry and Clean Energy R&D in Singapore.
The Panel members are:
a) Mr. Lim Siong Guan (Chairman Clean Energy IAP)
b) Lord Ronald Oxburgh (Co-Chairman Clean Energy IAP)
- Chairman, House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology, UK
- Former Chairman, Shell Transport & Trading PLC, UK
c) Dr. Dan Arvizu
- Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, US Department of Energy
d) Dr. Winfried Hoffmann
- Chief Technology Officer, Solar Business Group, Applied Materials, USA
- President, European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA)
e) Mr. Nicholas Parker, USA
- Chairman and Managing Partner, Cleantech Group, USA
f) Professor Koen Steemers, UK
- Director, Martin Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies, University of Cambridge, UK
- President, Passive and Low Energy Architecture (PLEA) International Association
g) Mr. Erik Thorsen
- President and CEO, Renewable Energy Corporation, Norway
About Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO)
The Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO) is Singapore’s key inter-agency workgroup responsible for planning and executing strategies to develop Singapore into a Global Clean Energy Hub where clean energy products and solutions are developed here for the global market.
Set up in April 2007, CEPO leverages upon the strengths of various government agencies - the Economic Development Board (EDB), Building & Construction Authority (BCA), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), Energy Market Authority (EMA), National Environment Agency (NEA), International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore) and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) for a comprehensive approach to develop the clean energy industry.
Through the various agencies, CEPO grows and nurtures local and foreign Clean Energy companies through comprehensive cluster development, targeted internationalisation efforts, fostering of world-class research and technology development, and long-term manpower planning.
About the Singapore Economic Development Board
The Economic Development Board (EDB) is the lead government agency responsible for planning and executing economic strategies to enhance Singapore’s position as a global hub for business and investment. We are the one-stop agency that facilitates and supports local and foreign investors in both the manufacturing and services sectors as they seek more value-creating operations, higher sustainable returns and new business opportunities.
Singapore commands global leadership positions in many areas. EDB is expanding and extending existing industry clusters, as well as exploring new growth areas to create good jobs and secure Singapore’s future competitiveness. Our emphasis is on capital-intensive, knowledge-intensive and innovation-intensive activities. EDB is constantly identifying new business areas to develop both in terms of new technologies as well as new consumer demands, such as our 'clean and green' focus - environmental technologies, urban solutions and clean energy, lifestyle, healthcare and wellness. EDB is also expanding our geographical reach, such as Middle East, in addition to North America, Europe, Japan, China, India and ASEAN.
For more information on how EDB can help in your business and investment, please visit www.sedb.com
For media queries, please contact: Ms Tjan Hui Shi
DID: 65-6832-6216 / Mobile: 65-9007-2162 / Email: hui_shi_tjan@edb.gov.sg
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