The International Energy Agency (IEA) has inaugurated its first office outside of Paris, marking a significant step in the agency's 50-year history. The new office in Singapore was opened during a high-profile ceremony attended by Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, alongside more than 1,200 dignitaries, including global ministers and ambassadors.
The decision to establish an office in Singapore highlights Southeast Asia's growing role in the global energy landscape. According to the IEA's Southeast Asia Energy Outlook, the region is expected to account for 25% of the world's energy demand growth by 2035, driven by rapid economic, population, and industrial expansion. Although the region is heavily reliant on fossil fuel imports, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, bioenergy, and geothermal are projected to meet more than a third of the demand increase over the next decade.
However, this surge in energy consumption poses significant challenges. Despite the anticipated growth in clean energy use, the region's reliance on fossil fuels is expected to continue, with carbon emissions forecasted to rise by 35% by mid-century. These issues were central to discussions between Birol and Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during a bilateral meeting following the inauguration.
The new IEA office in Singapore aims to strengthen regional cooperation, supporting Southeast Asia's efforts to meet its growing energy needs while addressing climate goals and energy security concerns.
