Aiming for 30% Renewable Energy Import by 2035
Singapore has set an ambitious target to import up to four gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon electricity by 2035, which would constitute around 30% of its total electricity supply at that time. This move is part of a broader strategy to decarbonise the power sector and diversify energy sources for enhanced security.
According to the Energy Market Authority (EMA), two requests for proposals will be issued to facilitate these imports. The first, launching next month, will secure 1.2GW of electricity starting in 2027. The second, scheduled for Q2 2022, will address the remainder of the import quota. Coal-fired sources are explicitly excluded from these proposals.
Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, speaking at the Singapore International Energy Week, highlighted that while domestic efforts like improving energy efficiency and expanding solar energy are crucial, they alone cannot meet Singapore’s needs. “Meaningful abatement can only come through tapping on low-carbon energy beyond our shores,” he remarked, acknowledging that this transition might increase costs due to transmission, backup systems, and grid enhancements.
Preparation Through Trials
To ensure readiness for these imports, EMA has conducted trials over the past two years. YTL PowerSeraya will begin importing 100 megawatts (MW) from Malaysia next year, while PacificLight Power leads a pilot to import non-intermittent solar energy from Indonesia by 2024. Additionally, the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project will bring in 100MW from Laos, reinforcing the vision of an ASEAN Power Grid for regional electricity trading.
Supporting Research and Innovation
Recognising the need for additional energy solutions, Singapore has allocated S$55 million under the Low-Carbon Energy Research Funding Initiative to back 12 projects. These initiatives focus on hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage, aiming to enhance the feasibility of low-carbon technologies for both power and industry sectors. This investment reflects Singapore’s commitment to technological innovation in its quest for sustainable energy.
