Challenging for Singapore to find alternate energy sources: Shanmugam

Unlike countries like China and the United States, Singapore is unable to build facilities that can generate wind power due to land and space constraints, says Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam.
Faris Mokhtar Channel NewsAsia 8 Jul 15;

SINGAPORE: It is a challenge for Singapore to find other alternative energy sources, according to Minister for Law and Minister for Foreign Affairs K Shanmugam.

Mr Shanmugam made this point on Wednesday (Jul 8) at the inaugural Asian Undergraduate Summit organised by the National University of Singapore Students' University Scholars Club. The summit brought together undergraduates from leading Asian universities to discuss regional issues.

Currently, Singapore is relying on fossil fuels and its usage exceeds that of other nations.

Mr Shanmugam said Singapore is unable to build facilities that can generate wind power due to land and space constraints. This is unlike other countries like China and the United States, which can cut back on their carbon footprint because they can generate alternative sources.

"For us, it's not a question of being more expensive. We just can't generate anything else. So, if they are internationally-binding norms and we're not exempted, that means a tremendous challenge for us. So, one of the things policy-makers are dealing with is to make sure that our case is heard. We are alternate energy-challenged,” Mr Shanmugam said.

It is also a challenge for ASEAN to have a seamless economic integration, he said, as countries within the region are at different levels of development, in areas such as economy and education. As such, Mr Shanmugam stressed that it is not possible to "immediately look at a complete or an even economic union".

Still, there are economic synergies in the region and benefits in making the flow of goods and services more seamless.

"But at the same time let me ask you, if you want to be completely seamless, are we in Singapore prepared for anyone in ASEAN to come and work here? And you'll know what will happen in that situation because our GDP per capita and our salaries are at such a higher level that we will not be able to cope,” said Mr Shanmugam.

“We still need to protect our sovereignty, identity and capacity. It's limited by those factors. And likewise every other country has areas that it feels it cannot give up yet. So, we are not quite the European Union (EU), we don't look at that kind of connectivity nor are we looking at that sort of movement of people. So, even on the economic front, you've got to be clear it is a modest aim,” he added.

- CNA/dl