S’pore expects all parties to honour commitments, says PM Wong after Indonesia cuts gas exports
Singapore’s gas importer will take necessary steps to protect its rights and interests, he said.
Singapore expects all parties to meet their obligations as per commercial agreements, stated Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the PAP conference on October 25. He informed that Indonesia had recently reduced its gas exports to Singapore, the day prior to Wong's remarks. Most of Singapore's electricity is generated using natural gas, and a substantial portion of gas is imported via pipelines from Indonesia.
Wong emphasized that Singapore's gas importer would take appropriate measures to safeguard its rights and interests under these contracts. On October 24, Indonesia announced a reduction in natural gas exports to Singapore by 31 billion British thermal units per day (BBTUD), as reported by Indonesian media. This reduction is due to President Prabowo Subianto's administration prioritizing domestic energy needs amid rising energy security concerns.
The affected gas is supplied through pipelines from Natuna and Sumatra, according to Indonesia's upstream oil and gas regulator, SKK Migas. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) said the supply reduction would account for less than 2% of Singapore's total daily gas demand, which is over 1,000 BBTUD. Wong highlighted that Singapore has been proactively preparing for such risks by investing in liquefied natural gas terminals to import gas from various countries, reducing reliance on pipelines.
He also mentioned that the country is exploring cleaner energy sources, such as nuclear power, to ensure reliable electricity supply. Recognizing safety concerns related to nuclear energy, Wong stated that the government would thoroughly evaluate the risks and trade-offs, engage the public, and make an informed decision regarding nuclear energy.
Singapore will undergo an assessment by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2027 to determine its readiness to consider nuclear energy. Wong emphasized that some challenges, like online scams and haze, require international cooperation but stressed that Singapore is taking necessary steps within its power to protect its citizens and collaborate with partners to address these issues.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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