As Asia moves towards cleaner energy, there is an increasing demand for specialized talent in green technology, sustainability, and digitalization.
Asia stands at a pivotal moment in its energy journey, as the region faces the challenge of balancing energy security, affordability, and sustainability—a dilemma known as the energy trilemma. As countries in the region transition to cleaner sources of energy, the demand for skilled professionals in areas like analytics, sustainability, and digitalization has surged, creating significant opportunities in the workforce.
One key factor driving this transition is the increasing need for interdisciplinary talents who can bridge the gap between traditional energy sectors and emerging technologies. These professionals, often well-versed in areas like machine learning, project financing, and regulatory compliance, are essential for ensuring that Asia meets its energy needs in a sustainable and future-focused way.
With Asia’s digitally-savvy population, particularly those familiar with rapid technological changes, the region is poised to lead the charge in the energy sector. Farehana Hanapiah, Senior Vice President of Group Human Resource Management at Petronas, emphasized the adaptability and innovative mindset of these digital natives, which is crucial in a sector undergoing rapid technological advancements.
Projections from the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggest that the green energy transition will create 10.3 million jobs by 2030, far outpacing the 2.7 million job losses anticipated in traditional sectors like coal, oil, and gas. This job creation is a vital part of the shift towards sustainable energy, addressing the need for both green energy solutions and skilled labor to drive that transition.
However, the energy trilemma also requires a holistic approach. Energy security ensures reliable access to power without excessive dependence on external sources, while affordability is focused on making energy accessible for all. These three elements—security, affordability, and sustainability—must work in tandem to create a resilient energy ecosystem.
The inaugural Energy Asia conference in June 2023, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, provided a platform for 4,600 participants and 10,000 visitors from 28 countries to discuss the region’s role in the global energy landscape. Key speakers, including Ms. Hanapiah, underscored the importance of addressing these challenges through talent development and innovation.
Ms. Hanapiah also highlighted the need for upskilling and reskilling the workforce, ensuring that the current labor force is equipped with the skills necessary for the energy industry’s new growth areas, especially in renewables. This process, she noted, requires sourcing talent from diverse backgrounds to ensure the energy sector has the right mix of expertise to address complex challenges.
Looking to the future, Ms. Hanapiah expressed optimism about Asia’s ability to not only address the energy trilemma but also to lead the world in developing solutions to some of the most pressing global energy issues.
The Energy Asia conference is part of Petronas and CERAWeek by S&P Global’s broader efforts to promote collaborative discussions on strategies and solutions to enable a successful and just energy transition.
