An international energy provider has announced the relocation of its Asia-Pacific headquarters from Bangkok, Thailand, to Singapore. The move to year Golden-Agri Plaza along Pasir Panjang road will be completed by the middle of next year.
Doing the Energy Business in Singapore
Moving south is no decision on a whim. Singapore’s Smart Nation initiatives is the key reason the energy company’s APAC HQ relocation. The Republic’s technological capabilities and capacities allow the company ample opportunities to build strong platforms to try new ideas. With Singapore as the testbed, the solutions they yield can be replicated on a broadscale across APAC to help accelerate regional energy transition. Hence, the company has plans to support governments and businesses in ASEAN to capitalise on sustainable growth opportunities.
The company’s APAC CEO said, “Singapore’s vision to be a Smart Nation and its leadership in innovation and sustainability provides ENGIE with an ideal platform where we can build, test and scale our innovations, cementing our position as the leader in Asia-Pacific’s energy transition.”
When the move is complete, the company is expected to double the number of its APAC employees over the next decade. Its confidence stems from the region’s bullish economic growth and demand for clean and sustainable energy solutions. Already, a good number of its clients, including multinational corporations, run their APAC operations out of Singapore. The move to the island state will encourage closer partnerships for innovative energy solutions and services. Customised solutions for unique market needs can also be provided.
Energy Market Opportunities in APAC
Broadening business ventures in APAC is not new for the international energy provider. The company has two decades of experience in the Singapore market and is working to intensify its efforts to help APAC move towards sustainable energy management. More efforts are being deployed to develop and implement digital solutions and services for Singapore and the region.
A couple of months back in March this year, the Group launched its SGD 80 million Centre of Expertise in Singapore. The Centre specialises in energy efficiency and district cooling for the region. The company has also made investments in a data-driven service to help support operators in Singapore’s growing data centre market. The service pledges to drive efficiency and aids operators to adapt to business growth. In October 2016, the company engaged in a partnership to deliver Singapore’s first nationwide IoT network rollout.
Around the region, the company is committed to decarbonising, decentralising and digitalising the energy mix for the region. Investments will be poured into developing renewable and clean energy solutions such as geothermal, wind, biomass, gas and decentralised generation to help support APAC’s economic growth for a sustainable future.
Backing Public-Private Service
The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) supports the international energy company’s move. It believes that in doing so, it is a value-add to the Republic’s workforce’s skills. Furthermore, the city state’s authority in clean energy management within the region will be cemented.
Executive Director of Commercial & Professional Services, EDB, Lee Eng Keat said, “Singapore has been playing an active role in the transformation of the global energy sector. We are glad that ENGIE recognises Singapore’s leadership in energy, digital and finance, and is anchoring its Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore. ENGIE’s latest investment will help catalyse the development of innovative solutions for the region’s growing demand for smart and sustainable energy.”