Singapore raises its clean energy import target as demand rises

Singapore will seek to import about 6 gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon electricity by 2035, up from an initial target of 4 GW, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) said on Thursday, as the country seeks to -and decarbonise the energy sector amid growth. request.

“Imports of low-carbon electricity are part of Singapore’s overall efforts to decarbonise the energy sector, which currently accounts for around 40% of the nation’s carbon emissions,” EMA said in a press release announcing the licenses conditionalities and approvals for more clean electricity imports from Indonesia.

“Given the encouraging progress of electricity import projects and to ensure adequate supply to meet our future energy needs, given the growing demand, Singapore will increase its ambition and seek to import 6 GW by 2035,” the authority said.

While looking to import clean electricity, Singapore is also seeking proposals from companies to build and operate two new natural gas power plants by the end of the decade as it looks to have more generating capacity to meet growing electricity demand.

In June, the EMA launched a second call for proposals for new electricity generation capacity, inviting companies to build, own and operate two new hydrogen-ready combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) generating units, which they will be ready in 2029 and 2030, respectively.

The authority’s proposal comes on the back of data that Singapore’s electricity demand has grown steadily over the years, largely driven by electricity-intensive sectors such as advanced manufacturing, the digital economy and transport.

Based on EMA forecasts, Singapore’s power system peak demand is expected to grow by at least 3.7% over the next six years, reaching 10.1 gigawatts (GW) and 11.8 GW by 2030.

“As Singapore’s electricity demand continues to grow, it is crucial to ensure we have enough generation capacity to power our homes, workplaces and communities,” EMA chief executive Ngiam Shih Chun said in June. .

By Tsvetana Paraskova

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