IEA opens Singapore office to boost energy collaboration in ASEAN
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has opened its first-ever office outside of its Paris headquarters, marking a new phase in its collaboration with Southeast Asia. The IEA Regional Cooperation Centre was inaugurated during the Singapore International Energy Week, attended by IEA Executive Director Dr. Fatih Birol, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, and other senior officials.
The new office in Singapore aims to enhance the IEA’s partnerships with ASEAN nations and beyond by providing policy support, technical assistance, training, and capacity-building in renewables, clean energy technology, and cross-border power trade. The centre will also work on improving access to finance for clean energy investments, helping countries meet energy security and emission reduction targets.
The office reflects Singapore’s and the IEA’s shared vision to promote regional energy resilience. Singapore’s Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Dr. Tan See Leng, noted the significance of the collaboration: “This partnership will catalyse the advancement of the ASEAN Power Grid and strengthen financing mechanisms to accelerate energy transitions.”
Navigating energy challenges and opportunities
Despite ambitious carbon neutrality goals across the region, the IEA warns that energy demand in Southeast Asia is projected to grow by more than 60% by 2050, with continued reliance on fossil fuels unless decisive action is taken. The new centre aims to provide critical guidance to help countries enhance energy efficiency, expand renewable energy generation, and adopt low-emissions fuels.
Birol highlighted the importance of the new office: “The opening of the IEA’s new office in Singapore is an historic moment for the IEA and signals a step change in our relationship with Southeast Asia. We look forward to working much more closely with all the countries in this dynamic and fast-growing region, whose influence over global energy trends is markedly increasing.”
Singapore and the IEA have a long-standing relationship, with Singapore joining the IEA as an association country in 2016. Over the years, the collaboration has expanded through initiatives such as the Singapore-IEA Regional Hub and the Singapore-IEA Ministerial Forum, fostering policy exchanges and knowledge sharing.
Chief Executive of the Energy Market Authority (EMA), Puah Kok Keong, highlighted the enduring partnership: “Anchoring the IEA’s presence in the region is part of Singapore’s efforts in deepening cooperation with international partners towards a cleaner, more resilient and sustainable energy future for all.”
Founded in 1974, the International Energy Agency has evolved from focusing primarily on oil security to covering a broad spectrum of energy issues, including clean energy technologies, electricity markets, and access to sustainable energy. The IEA continues to play a crucial role in global energy transitions, providing data, policy recommendations, and real-world solutions.
