Mr Hajime Tsuda, Chairman of Senoko Energy,

Mr Brendan Wauters, President & CEO of Senoko Energy,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen.

1.               Good morning.  I am happy to join you this morning for Senoko Energy’s Stage 2 Repowering Completion Ceremony. 

 

2.               Let me first extend my heartiest congratulations to Senoko Energy on the completion of the Stage 2 Repowering Project. In the first stage of the Repowering Programme, three of Senoko Energy’s oil-fired 120 MW steam plants had already been converted to gas-fired 365 MW combined-cycle plants (CCPs). Today, we mark another milestone in Senoko Energy’s history with the transformation of three more oil-fired steam plants into higher capacity CCPs.  

 

3.               These capacity enhancements are particularly significant as the power sector is a key driver of Singapore’s economy. Without reliable access to gas and electricity, our industries will not be able to thrive and grow, and our households will not be able to enjoy reliable electricity supply and a high standard of living. Thus, it is important that the public and private sectors work together to ensure that the power sector continues to evolve to keep pace with our growing energy needs.

4.               The power sector is poised for further growth over the next few years, with opportunities arising from the introduction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Singapore and new technologies that hold promise for greater efficiencies in power generation. When the LNG terminal becomes operational in the second quarter of this year, there will be greater availability of gas for power generation in Singapore. At the same time, more of our generation companies (gencos) are expected to undertake repowering projects to upgrade their plant turbines.  These are exciting developments for the power sector, as our gencos embrace new and cleaner technologies to improve performance and capitalise on the growth opportunities within the sector.  

 

5.               These developments also create interesting and exciting career opportunities in the power sector. As a result of growth opportunities in power generation, as well as in the areas of smart energy technologies, energy efficiency and energy demand management, the power sector will need many more talented and motivated individuals to join its workforce. Currently, the power sector’s technical workforce numbers about 4,600. Approximately 2,400 new technical professionals will be required over the next 10 years.

 

6.               The Government recognises the need to ensure sufficient manpower capacity and capabilities to support the growth of the power sector.  In particular, I would like to acknowledge and thank the industry-led Power Sector Manpower Taskforce (PSMT) which released its report last month with recommendations on manpower development strategies for the sector.  The Energy Market Authority will work with the industry to implement these initiatives.

7.               One of the proposed initiatives is to award industry scholarships to students at various educational levels, to encourage them to pursue careers in the power sector. I am pleased to note that today Senoko Energy will be presenting its inaugural ITE scholarships to two deserving students, Nathaniel Tan Guan Rong and Aloysius Lin Zhanwang. 

 

8.               At only 24 years of age, both Nathaniel and Aloysius have shown that they are determined and motivated individuals with a keen desire to succeed in life. Despite juggling studies with work – Nathaniel and Aloysius both work part-time in the hospitality line to help out with their family expenses – they achieved good grades and impressed the Senoko Energy scholarship judging panel. I understand that they will be pursuing the Higher National ITE Certificate (Higher Nitec) in Mechanical Engineering. I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Nathaniel and Aloysius on their well-deserved scholarships, and wish them a fulfilling and rewarding career with Senoko Energy in the power sector.

 

9.               I also applaud Senoko Energy’s commitment to developing young talent for the power sector. The sector needs graduates from our ITEs, polytechnics and universities. Apart from scholarships, it is equally important for the industry to ensure there are meaningful career progression pathways and further opportunities for training. 

10.            The sector offers many interesting and stable jobs in areas such as plant design, operations and maintenance, grid transmission design and regulation, business development and energy efficiency management.  Many of our students may not be aware of these opportunities. Perhaps they have not been exposed to the workings of a power plant, nor had the chance to interact with technical professionals within the sector.  I hope Senoko Energy’s open house today will give our students a useful insight into the power sector and excite them about the available career opportunities.  And I hope other stakeholders in the industry will similarly reach out to young Singaporeans.

11.            Even as we try to attract fresh young talent into the power sector, it is equally important that we continually invest in our current workforce. A systematic staff development and training programme will provide greater clarity in the opportunities for training and skills upgrading. I am told that as a result of Senoko Energy’s efforts to build staff capability, many of Senoko Energy’s technical staff have been able to rise through the ranks. A good example is Senoko Energy’s Vice President of Instrumentation and Control Asset, Mr Lim Leong Chuan.  Mr Lim joined Senoko Energy as a unit controller in 1984 after graduating from ITE.  He was given the chance to pursue a diploma and he eventually obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from NTU in 1993.  

 

12.            We need to groom more stalwarts like Mr Lim from the younger generation.  To this end, the Energy Market Authority is working closely with the stakeholders to establish a National Energy Competency Framework for the sector.  This is in line with the recommendations of the Power Sector Manpower Taskforce.

 

13.            I am encouraged by the efforts of Senoko Energy and other stakeholders in the power sector who have contributed to the work of the Taskforce, and are committed to the development of our manpower capacity and capability in the sector. It is important that the public and private sectors work closely together to reach out to a younger generation of Singaporeans, inform and excite them about opportunities in the power sector, and ensure that the power sector’s manpower needs are met in the next 10 years and beyond. I look forward to the strong collaboration among, and support from, all industry stakeholders.

 

14.            Thank you.