ARCTIC RENEWABLE ENERGY ATLAS PROJECT
From 29–31 August 2018, the Energy Studies Institute (ESI), National University of Singapore hosted the Arctic Renewable Energy Atlas (AREA) Project workshop participants in Singapore. Initiated by the Arctic Council’s Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG), AREA integrates a range of resources from maps and data to research activities and storytelling, thereby enhancing knowledge of best practices and local action on renewable energy within the Arctic region.
The three-day event — which consisted of the AREA Project workshop, meetings and a field trip — was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. There were over 20 workshop participants with representatives from Canada, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, the United States, as well as Southeast Asian participants from the Philippines, Myanmar and experts based in Singapore.
The objective of the workshop is to facilitate the discussion of AREA Project topics by the Arctic participants, focusing on renewable energy resource potential, data management and visualisation, as well as highlight Arctic country energy profiles. In addition, the event provided an opportunity for participants from the Arctic and Southeast Asia to share best practices and exchange knowledge on sustainable energy initiatives and projects, with a focus on energy transition challenges surrounding remote and “islanded” communities in both regions. In this regard, the non-Arctic participants shared the Southeast Asian experience on renewable energy developments, with speakers covering topics ranging from energy access in remote communities in Myanmar and the Philippines, the deployment of solar energy in the region, low carbon energy finance and institutional governance.
This event was jointly convened by Gail Mosey (AREA Project Lead) and Christopher Len (ESI Senior Research Fellow). Elena Reshetova, Hema Nadarajah and Mary Ann Quirapas served as rapporteurs for this event and contributed to the preparation of this report.
