Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SINGAPORE23
2009-01-08 06:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:
SINGAPORE UNSURE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF IRENA
how-toVZCZCXRO1921 RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHGP #0023 0080633 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 080633Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6218 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0145 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 0296 RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000023
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/ESC DMONOSSON AND OES/EGC GTHOMPSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV KGHG ENRG PGOV EUN SN
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE UNSURE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF IRENA
REF: STATE 134385
UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000023
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/ESC DMONOSSON AND OES/EGC GTHOMPSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV KGHG ENRG PGOV EUN SN
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE UNSURE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF IRENA
REF: STATE 134385
1. (SBU) Singapore supports the goal of increasing R&D in
renewable energy technologies and making such technologies
more affordable for developing countries. However, the GOS
is unsure whether the German-proposed International Renewable
Energy Agency (IRENA) is the best approach, Hazri Hassan,
Deputy Director for International Relations at the Ministry
of Environment and Water Resources, told Econoffs January 6.
Singapore does not oppose IRENA or the idea of creating an
international body focused on renewable energy, but it shares
U.S. concerns (reftel) that IRENA will be a duplicative
entity that might dilute efforts to develop the use of
renewable energy. The GOS is also concerned about high
membership fees that will be assessed by IRENA, Hassan noted.
He indicated that Singapore might explore ways to
participate in IRENA activities on an ad hoc basis without
becoming a member. Hassan was not aware of any GOS officials
traveling to the IRENA launch later this month, but he could
not say whether a member of the Singapore mission in Germany
might attend as an observer.
2. (SBU) The GOS has been active in encouraging R&D in
renewable energy as a means to ensure Singapore's long term
energy security, Hassan said. Agencies such as the Economic
Development Board encourage foreign direct investment in
Singapore, while the National Research Foundation helps fund
research and education in new energy technologies. The GOS
prefers to allow market forces to work so that the most
efficient and commercially viable energy technology is
deployed in the most appropriate location. For example,
Singapore cannot use hydropower but might be able one day to
use solar on a large scale. An international body like IRENA
might be most effective if it helps poor countries deploy
renewable energy technologies that might otherwise be too
expensive, Hassan suggested.
Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
HERBOLD
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/ESC DMONOSSON AND OES/EGC GTHOMPSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV KGHG ENRG PGOV EUN SN
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE UNSURE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF IRENA
REF: STATE 134385
1. (SBU) Singapore supports the goal of increasing R&D in
renewable energy technologies and making such technologies
more affordable for developing countries. However, the GOS
is unsure whether the German-proposed International Renewable
Energy Agency (IRENA) is the best approach, Hazri Hassan,
Deputy Director for International Relations at the Ministry
of Environment and Water Resources, told Econoffs January 6.
Singapore does not oppose IRENA or the idea of creating an
international body focused on renewable energy, but it shares
U.S. concerns (reftel) that IRENA will be a duplicative
entity that might dilute efforts to develop the use of
renewable energy. The GOS is also concerned about high
membership fees that will be assessed by IRENA, Hassan noted.
He indicated that Singapore might explore ways to
participate in IRENA activities on an ad hoc basis without
becoming a member. Hassan was not aware of any GOS officials
traveling to the IRENA launch later this month, but he could
not say whether a member of the Singapore mission in Germany
might attend as an observer.
2. (SBU) The GOS has been active in encouraging R&D in
renewable energy as a means to ensure Singapore's long term
energy security, Hassan said. Agencies such as the Economic
Development Board encourage foreign direct investment in
Singapore, while the National Research Foundation helps fund
research and education in new energy technologies. The GOS
prefers to allow market forces to work so that the most
efficient and commercially viable energy technology is
deployed in the most appropriate location. For example,
Singapore cannot use hydropower but might be able one day to
use solar on a large scale. An international body like IRENA
might be most effective if it helps poor countries deploy
renewable energy technologies that might otherwise be too
expensive, Hassan suggested.
Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
HERBOLD