Singapore plan to import Indonesia clean energy advancing as region develops renewables ‘faster and bigger than people realise’
- Singapore currently generates 95 per cent of its electricity from natural gas, and lack of space limits the building of solar and wind farms
- Asia is rapidly developing a similar energy market to Europe, where countries routinely import electricity from neighbours
Singapore awarded initial approvals to five energy projects in Indonesia as it aims to advance plans to import clean electricity from neighbouring nations and curb its reliance on natural gas.
The projects will jointly deliver 2 gigawatts and aim to begin commercial operation from the end of 2027, Singapore’s Energy Market Authority said on Friday in a statement.
“Low-carbon electricity imports through regional power grids are a key enabler in Singapore’s efforts to decarbonise its energy supply, while accelerating renewable energy development in the region,” the authority said in its statement.
Companies awarded licenses include a unit of PT Adaro Clean Energy Indonesia, a venture including Medco Power Global, Keppel Energy, EDP Renewables APAC and a unit of Gurin Energy.
The projects will require development of a total of about 11 gigawatts of solar plants and 21 gigawatt hours of battery energy storage in Indonesia.
Singapore, which currently generates 95 per cent of its electricity from natural gas, is aiming to decarbonise its power mix but faces limits on building solar and wind farms because of its lack of available space. Authorities aim instead to import about 30 per cent of electricity by 2035.