5 new power plants & Saudi oil storage at Jurong Rock Caverns: Tan See Leng outlines plans to enhance S'pore's energy security
Singapore will also be looking at low-carbon energy options such as geothermal and nuclear energy.
Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng highlighted Singapore's vulnerability to global or regional disruptions during the Singapore Energy Lecture at the start of Singapore International Energy Week. Tan emphasized that countries may prioritize domestic needs during a supply crunch, and resource nationalism can undermine contracts and agreements.
At SIEW, Tan unveiled multiple energy-related partnerships and plans to enhance Singapore's energy security, focusing on the four 'Cs' - confidence, competitiveness, carbon, and connectivity, alongside cost. He discussed newly announced partnerships, including the joint intent to store Saudi crude oil at Jurong Rock Caverns from the second half of 2027, with Saudi Aramco, EMA, and JTC Corporation.
Additionally, five new power plants will come online between 2026 and 2031, increasing Singapore's generation capacity by 26% from 12 gigawatts (GW) today. Underground power cables are also being expanded, with seven new substations to be built by 2031. EMA will release its Five-Year Energy Infrastructure Plan on October 26. Low-carbon energy pathways were prioritized, with solar energy as Singapore's most viable indigenous renewable source, targeting 3 gigawatt-peak of solar deployment by 2030.
Decarbonisation technologies are backed by an S$800 million Decarbonisation Grand Challenge, while hydrogen, ammonia direct combustion in Jurong Island, and Combined Cycle Gas Turbines using natural gas and hydrogen blends are also being explored. Nuclear energy development includes an IAEA Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review Mission and a Nuclear Manpower Development Programme for public sector employees.
Geothermal energy potential exceeds Singapore's annual electricity consumption by over 60 times, with plans for feasibility studies by the EMA. Tan emphasized the need for a connected regional grid, with EMA granting conditional approval to Sembcorp Utilities to import up to 1.3GW of renewable electricity from Malaysia. Balancing decarbonisation and costs was crucial, ensuring the government's market frameworks do not place an undue burden on households and businesses while providing targeted support for energy efficiency and cost reduction.
Written by urgent.news from Mothership's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
