Wiktor Wise
Singapore's electricity is predominantly generated by natural gas, which is piped from neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia or imported as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from international markets. In 2021, natural gas accounted for 93.9% of Singapore's electricity generation, with a sharp increase from 19% in 2000. The remaining energy sources include coal, petroleum products, waste, biomass, and solar. Singapore is actively transitioning towards cleaner energy sources and aims to import a significant proportion of its electricity from low-carbon or renewable sources by 2035. This includes exploring solar energy from Australia, hydropower from Laos, and regional power grids from the ASEAN Power Grid Project.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of electricity generated from natural gas | 95% |
| Percentage of electricity generated from solar, biomass, and municipal waste | 2.9% |
| Percentage of electricity generated from coal | 1.2% |
| Percentage of electricity generated from petroleum products | 1% |
| Percentage of electricity generated from oil | 0% (Singapore moved away from oil-powered electricity plants in the early 2000s) |
| Electricity market structure | Wholesale electricity market and retail electricity market |
| Competition in the electricity market | Power generation companies compete to sell electricity in the wholesale market every half hour; electricity retailers compete to sell electricity to consumers in the retail market |
| Number of grid-connected solar installations in Singapore | 3,000 |
| Low-carbon electricity imports by 2035 | Up to 6 gigawatts (GW), which could make up around 30% of the country's energy needs |
| Initiatives to reduce carbon emissions | Singapore Green Plan 2030, carbon tax introduced in 2018, $55 million in funding for 12 low-carbon technology research projects in 2021 |
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Natural gas
Singapore's LNG imports have increased significantly over the years, with a staggering 754% increase in 2021 since 2000, and the entire supply sourced from international markets. This total reliance on external sources has raised energy security concerns, particularly in light of global events such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has recognised that natural gas will continue to be a dominant fuel for electricity generation in Singapore in the near future. However, Singapore is also committed to transitioning to renewable and lower-carbon energy sources. The EMA has issued requests for proposals to import low-carbon electricity and develop low-carbon technologies, with a $49 million funding initiative expanded to $55 million in 2021.
Singapore's renewable energy focus is primarily on solar power, with plans to achieve at least 2 gigawatt-peak (GWp) of installed solar capacity by 2030. The country is also exploring other low-carbon technologies such as hydrogen, carbon capture, and geothermal energy. Singapore has set ambitious targets for reducing its environmental impact and enhancing energy efficiency, including phasing out new diesel vehicle registrations by 2025 and expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
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Solar energy
The Energy Market Authority (EMA) is working closely with the industry and government agencies to maximise solar deployment and address challenges in harnessing solar energy. Singapore has already achieved its 2025 target of deploying 1.5 gigawatt-peak of solar and is on track to meet its goal of at least 2 gigawatt-peak by 2030. This is equivalent to the annual electricity needs of approximately 350,000 households.
To further increase solar deployment, Singapore is exploring innovative solutions such as Building Integrated Solar Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems, which seamlessly integrate solar panels into the design of buildings. The country is also deploying Energy Storage Systems (ESS) to address the intermittency of solar power, which is subject to weather conditions.
Singapore's efforts to maximise solar deployment are part of its transition towards cleaner energy sources. In addition to solar, the country is also exploring other low-carbon technologies such as hydrogen, carbon capture and geothermal energy, and is working to import low-carbon electricity from regional power grids. These initiatives are in line with Singapore's goal of achieving greater sustainability in its energy sector while maintaining a reliable and affordable energy supply.
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Regional power grids
Singapore's electricity market consists of the wholesale electricity market and the retail electricity market. Power generation companies bid to sell electricity in the wholesale electricity market every half hour. The price of electricity in this market changes every half hour, depending on electricity demand and supply. Electricity retailers then buy electricity in bulk from the wholesale electricity market and compete to sell electricity to consumers.
Singapore has limited renewable energy resources and is heavily reliant on natural gas for electricity production. However, the country is taking steps to diversify its energy sources and reduce its carbon footprint. One way it is doing this is by tapping into regional power grids to access low-carbon electricity beyond its borders.
The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has been carrying out trials to import electricity from regional power grids. For example, it conducted a two-year trial to import 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity from Peninsular Malaysia and a similar amount from Laos via the Lao DPR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) under the ASEAN Power Grid Project. EMA has also issued Conditional Approvals to ten projects to import low-carbon electricity from Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Singapore plans to import up to 6 gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon electricity by 2035, which could meet around 30% of the country's energy needs. This includes the Australia–ASEAN Power Link, which aims to import 2.2 GW of solar energy from the Northern Territory.
By connecting to regional power grids, Singapore can access low-carbon electricity and promote the development of renewable energy in the region. This move towards cleaner energy sources is part of Singapore's energy transition to address energy security concerns and environmental impacts.
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Low-carbon alternatives
Singapore has been working towards reducing its dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation. In 2024, more than 95% of Singapore's electricity supply came from fossil fuels, predominantly natural gas, with low-carbon sources making up close to 5% of the total electricity generation. The country has been actively integrating solar energy, regional power grids, and low-carbon alternatives to reduce its reliance on imports and diversify its energy sources.
Singapore has set a target of importing 4-6 GW of low-carbon electricity by 2035, which is expected to make up about 30% of the country's total projected supply. To achieve this goal, Singapore has been importing renewable hydropower from Laos through the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) since June 2022. Additionally, Singapore has announced plans to import electricity from regional power grids, including a 100 MW trial import of electricity from Peninsular Malaysia and 100 MW from a solar farm in Pulau Bulan, Indonesia.
Singapore is also exploring other low-carbon technologies such as hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage, and geothermal energy for possible long-term adoption. The government has announced funding initiatives to support research and development in these areas.
Solar energy is another key focus for Singapore's low-carbon future. The country aims to achieve at least 2 GWp by 2030, generating enough energy to meet around 3% of its total projected electricity demand in that year. Various tenders and initiatives have been launched to encourage solar energy deployment, such as the SolarNova programme and floating solar systems.
Singapore's journey with low-carbon electricity dates back several decades, with gradual increases in biofuel usage and, more recently, consistent growth in solar energy. The country's incremental advancements in clean energy sources demonstrate its commitment to diversifying its energy mix and transitioning towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
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Nuclear energy
Singapore currently relies heavily on natural gas to produce electricity, with 95% of its electricity generated in this way. However, the country has set an ambitious target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, which has prompted the exploration of low-carbon alternatives to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Nuclear energy is one of the options being considered as part of Singapore's energy transition.
In 2012, Singapore conducted a pre-feasibility study on the deployment of nuclear energy, but it was deemed unsuitable for the small city-state due to the challenges and risks associated with establishing a nuclear plant in a densely populated country. However, the country has not ruled out the use of nuclear energy in the future. During the 2024 Budget speech, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong did not dismiss the possibility of using nuclear energy as a source of electricity.
Singapore has taken steps to explore the potential of nuclear energy, including signing an agreement with the United States to share nuclear power technology. This agreement is expected to help Singapore diversify its energy sources and achieve its climate goals by examining the possibility of using nuclear power. The country is also considering the use of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a viable option to decarbonise the power sector and enhance energy security. SMRs are gaining traction in the energy market due to their potential to provide flexible, affordable, and low-carbon energy.
To prepare for the possibility of adopting nuclear energy, Singapore has been recommended to establish legal requirements related to nuclear safety, operations, and emergencies. The government should also nurture a nuclear workforce to meet future demands and engage the public on nuclear energy through awareness campaigns. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has conducted a review of Singapore's regulatory framework for radiation safety, concluding that it is well-established but could benefit from further enhancements to align with international safety standards.
While nuclear energy offers the potential for reliable and low-carbon electricity generation, it also comes with certain risks and challenges, especially in a densely populated country like Singapore. The risks associated with nuclear energy are not only technological but also sociological and environmental. Therefore, careful consideration and planning are necessary to ensure the safe and sustainable implementation of nuclear energy in Singapore.
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Frequently asked questions
Singapore generates electricity from natural gas, solar energy, regional power grids, and low-carbon alternatives.
In 2021, natural gas accounted for 93.9% of electricity generation in Singapore. This is a significant increase from 19% in 2000.
Singapore is exploring the use of hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation and storage, and geothermal energy as possible low-carbon alternatives.
The Singapore Green Plan 2030 is the country's agenda for sustainable development. It includes plans to diversify the electricity supply with clean electricity imports and improve power plant efficiency.
Singapore faces challenges such as energy nationalism, where countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have limited or ended energy exports to focus on their domestic needs. This complicates Singapore's plans to expand electricity imports.
