Singapore has joined the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), making it the 32nd country to become a partner of the REEEP. The National Environment Agency (NEA) represents Singapore in the REEEP.

REEEP is an international alliance of governments, NGOs and businesses dedicated to accelerating and expanding the global market for renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.

REEEP focuses on the development and support of legislative and regulatory frameworks that accelerate the marketplace for renewable energy and energy efficiency. REEEP is active globally, with over 58 on-the-ground projects targeting the development of policy or financial models that can be replicated by governments and project developers worldwide. The partnership has more than 160 members, including all G8 countries with the exception of Russia. This year Switzerland and Argentina joined the partnership, and in 2005, Angola, Canada, Chile, France, Hong Kong, Mexico, Switzerland and South Korea all joined the REEEP in order to support their domestic renewable energy and energy efficiency programmes.

"Prudent and efficient use of energy resources will minimise emissions of carbon dioxide, which is the key greenhouse gas for Singapore. This is, therefore, our key strategy for combating air pollution and mitigating the threat of global warming," said Mr Lee Yuen Hee, Chief Executive Officer of the NEA. Mr Lee added that "Our REEEP membership reinforces Singapore's commitment towards global climate protection and to sustainable development. We look forward to the sharing of best practices with other partner countries and in working with them and REEEP on the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy in the region."

Ms Marianne Osterkorn, REEEP International Director, sees the commitment of the Singaporean government as a major step towards engaging the Asian finance community with the clean energy sector. "Singapore's leadership in financial services is required to attract the levels of finance necessary to expand the regional marketplace for renewable and energy-efficient technologies."

REEEP is playing a strategic role in increasing the momentum towards global action on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The UK attaches great importance to the issues surrounding renewables, particularly their financial viability and energy market penetration. The UK's leadership and commitment to the development of the marketplace for clean energy has been clear since WSSD in 2002 when the UK launched the REEEP. The British High Commissioner to Singapore, Sir Alan Collins, said "the UK will build on the opportunities presented by our G8 and EU Presidencies in 2005 to accelerate the international climate change process into 2006 and beyond. The High Commissioner pointed to the UK Energy White Paper as evidence of the Government's commitment to renewable energy and described one of the main strategic priorities as promoting Sustainable Development notably underpinned by good governance and protection of the environment".

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For more information contact:

Jacqueline See
Assistant Director
Corporate Communications
National Environment Agency
+65 6731 9855
jacqueline_see@nea.gov.sg

Peter Richards
REEEP Communications Director
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP)
+431 26026 3677
peter.richards@reeep.org