Greening, The Singapore Way

Excellent article from Straits Times quoted by Ronnie Lim in Asiaone Motoring. http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/Motorworld/Story/A1Story20081106-98697.html

It shows as usual, how far the Singapore government is already thinking in terms of clean energy alternatives for the country’s transport needs. Of course we are now seeing moves towards CNG and LNG already and at least one local company which makes fuel out of residual cooking oil- and has a number of customers, too. The various educational programmes relating to clean energy, started over the last few years in a number of institutions, are helping build a critical core of managers and engineers to help take this transformation forward. What is significant also is that energy initiative financing is being discussed actively. As the global VC  and private equity communities move towards clean energy and green solutions as the next wave in innovation, Singapore is taking the right steps towards becoming a significant player in this area. As such, it already is a global leader now in some ways with the world’s largest solar cell manufacturing plan about to start operations.

It will be interesting to see in 2009 to what extent Singapore powers the global eco-revolution. As an Asian power,it will bring unique perspectives to the table. While USA and Japan may grapple with the electric car, and that by itself is a critical development for everyone, there is a large related market required in electric infrastructure. While the Better Place initiative has started well with Israel and Denmark, I cannot imagine entreprenuers in China, India and other Asian countries not wanting to do something similar quickly in their own markets. Similarly, the success of Honda’s fuel cell car will be dependent on effecient, clean and cheap hydrogen- can the vast amount of Asian waste be turned into bio-hydrogen? Singapore has some of the key capabilities in recycling, re-using and financing waste related efforts. And then what about Reva, India’s long running electric car? Does it get a second life with this wave? Using the humble bicycle to transport people, reduce pollution and provide healthier lives can unlock significant revenue generation avenues. Do not forget the money that can circulate just by manufacturing and selling bicycles. The key learning that Singapore can bring to the table is how to fit the bike into urban transport ecosystems, make it trendy and acceptable among the upper classes and ensure generation of grassroots level revenues. Then we have areas like de-gridding and allowing large buildings to generate their own electricity using solar panels, solar films and some biomass.

We will be discussing many of these possibilities in the days ahead but the key is that Singapore can be the Asian eco-incubator-and perhaps for Latin America as well. Let us hope this happens during the forthcoming year.

Have a great and green new year.