Singapore Promotes Green Energy Research and Development

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SINGAPORE – The Singaporean government announced this morning that it has pledged S$100 million (US$80 million) to fund two new research and development (R&D) initiatives within the energy sector.

The funding will be split between the Building Energy Efficiency Research Development and Demonstration Hub, which will be administered by the Building and Construction Authority, and the Green Data Centre Research Hub Programme, which will be run by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore.

Yong Ying-I, the co-chairperson of the Energy Research Development and Demonstration Executive Committee, announced the funding boost and a corresponding series of new national energy technology roadmaps at the inaugural Energy Techroadmap symposium this week. The five roadmaps cover building energy efficiency, green data centers, solar panel research, carbon capture and storage/utilization and industry energy efficiency.

RELATED: New Hub Established to Develop Sustainable Energy in Asia Pacific

These five roadmaps, along with the two technology roadmaps currently in development based on e-mobility and solid waste management, are aligned with efforts by the Energy National Innovation Challenge to develop cost-competitive energy solutions in order transform Singapore’s energy landscape by 2030. Going forward, the roadmaps will guide government agencies regarding the formulation, funding and implementation of energy initiatives.

Singapore is making increased efforts to develop clean and sustainable energy and in particular to improve its solar and wind energy capacities, energy efficiency, green buildings and smart grids. The government envisions the sector employing 18,000 people and contributing S$3.4 billion (US$2.7 billion) to the national economy by the end of next year.

In line with Singapore’s goal to be a leading global R&D hub, the government pledged more than S$800 million (US$640 million) of public funding for energy, water, green buildings and land scarcity R&D initiatives between 2011 and the end of 2013. In order to entice domestic and foreign investment into R&D initiatives in the country, Singapore offers a range of favorable tax incentives to all industry sectors, including a tax deduction of up to 400 percent of qualifying R&D carried out in the country.

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