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Navigating Asia’s energy transition through talent and tech innovation
With nations across the region moving towards cleaner sources of power, there has been a surge in demand for roles focusing on green technology, sustainability and security
Ms Farehana Hanapiah, senior vice president of group human resource management at Petronas, spoke at the Energy Asia conference in June 2023. PHOTO: PETRONAS
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Asia finds itself at a crucial juncture as the world pivots towards cleaner energy sources. The continent grapples with a three-pronged challenge, often termed the energy trilemma: ensuring energy security, affordability and sustainability. These challenges, while substantial, also usher in numerous opportunities, particularly in job creation and the demand for specialised talent in analytics, sustainability and digitalisation to name a few.
For instance, there is an increasing call for interdisciplinary talents who can bridge the gap between traditional energy sectors and new, disruptive technologies. These professionals are often proficient in fields such as machine learning, project financing, and regulatory compliance, and they play a pivotal role in ensuring that Asia not only meets its energy demands but does so in a way that is sustainable and forward-looking.
Asia's digitally-inclined population stands at the forefront of this evolution. Their aptitude for adapting to rapid technological changes means they are ideally positioned to be the linchpins of this transforming energy landscape.Ms Farehana Hanapiah, senior vice president of group human resource management at Petronas, says: "These digital natives bring an adaptability that's indispensable for the industry. Their quick grasp of technologies, flexibility in learning, and innovative mindset are pivotal in a sector undergoing such dynamic technological shifts."
Drawing from these insights, the horizon appears optimistic for the region’s energy future. A view underpinned by projections from the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggests by 2030, the green energy transition is slated to yield approximately 10.3 million jobs, overshadowing the potential job reductions in traditional sectors like coal, oil, and gas, anticipated to tally around 2.7 million.
While the sustainability-driven job creation is undoubtedly a significant development, it is just one facet of the broader energy landscape in Asia. The trilemma, while having sustainability as a key component, also comprises security and affordability. Advancements and opportunities span all three pillars. Security entails maintaining steady access to energy, ensuring nations are not overly reliant on external sources. On the other hand, affordability focuses on provisioning energy solutions that remain accessible to all.
Responding to these challenges requires innovation across various fronts and underscores the vital role that diverse talent plays in this sector.
“There is a big divide in Asia. People are advancing in technology but there are many more struggling to make ends meet. We need to ensure the latter have access to the right education and opportunities to high-value jobs within the energy industry. As a national oil and gas company, this is part of Petronas’ DNA and decision-making process – to prosper the society where we operate,” Ms Farehana says.
She further highlighted the importance of having an effective talent strategy for a just transition. Upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce is paramount and there is also a clear need to infuse fresh, external talent boasting specialised expertise that is proficient and adaptable for the growth areas.
Ms Farehana adds: "Venturing into new growth territories, especially renewables, introduces unique challenges. We find ourselves compelled to source talent diversely, ensuring a well-rounded skill set is at hand to grapple with the multi-layered issues inherent to the energy domain."
Recognising Asia's crucial role in the global energy scenario, Ms Farehana offers a forward-looking perspective: "Our aim is not solely about overcoming today's challenges posed by the energy trilemma. With the right talent in place, we're determined to pioneer enduring solutions that address some of the world's most pressing energy concerns."
Ms Farehana Hanapiah spoke at the Energy Asia conference in June 2023, a new conference series organised by Petronas and CERAWeek by S&P Global to offer a platform to facilitate conversations among stakeholders about the strategies and solutions needed to bring about a successful and just energy transition.
The inaugural event was held from June 26 to 28 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, and was attended by 4,600 participants and more than 10,000 visitors from 28 countries, including Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Ms Low Yen Ling, Singapore’s Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).
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