Page 10 - AsiaElec Week 49 2022

AsiaElec POLICY AsiaElec

Singapore ups ante on low-

emissions power generation

SINGAPORE SINGAPORE’S Energy Market Authority NHS.
(EMA) along with its Maritime & Port Authority The nation of 5.5mn has already committed
(MPA) last week put out a request for propos- to achieve a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050,
als (RfP) on a limited carbon power generation but in late October reduced its shorter-term goal
facility as well as a range of bunkering options of emissions by 2030, with Deputy Prime Min-
to help maintain its role as the leading port in ister Lawrence Wong at the time saying: “We
Southeast Asia. will now aim to peak our emissions earlier and
Coming on the back of the recent Singapore reduce our emissions to around 60mn tonnes of
International Energy Week 2022, and the much CO2 equivalent in 2030”.
publicised National Hydrogen Strategy (NHS), The previous target had been 65mn tonnes.
the government of the island nation is reported Neither Wong, nor any other government
to be keen to finally reduce costs associated with spokesperson at the time, would commit to a
its overwhelming reliance on gas. year that emissions in Singapore were expected
Figures released earlier in the year indicated to peak.
that at present, Singapore generates around 90% Wong has, however, issued a statement saying
of its energy from natural gas. that by 2050 hydrogen has the potential to power
Crucially for a nation in Southeast Asia, up to 50% of all local energy requirements, and
though, any proposals deemed successful will to date a total of $145mn has been set aside for
still be owned and operated by parties answer- hydrogen R&D possibilities across the island.
ing the call, domestic or otherwise; a concept At the same time, chief executive of
hindering much in the way of renewables expan- EMA Ngiam Shih Chun was reported as saying:
sion in the region with governments across Asia “Hydrogen and ammonia have the potential to
rarely willing to give up ownership and overall be a needle-moving decarbonisation solution
operational control. for the power sector. Through this expression of
Agencies around the world interested in interest, EMA is keen to collaborate with inter-
lodging an expression of interest (EOI) can do ested industry partners to explore what could
so until the end of April, 2023. possibly be the world’s first low or zero-carbon
When complete, the power generation sys- ammonia solution for power generation.”
tems, in addition to the bunkering solutions Teo Eng Dih, the current chief executive
to help power the thousands of ships passing of MPA, went on to add: “Close collaboration
through Singapore each year, will be sited on the between the public and private sector is critical
small 32-square km Jurong Island off Singapore to accelerating decarbonisation in the maritime
proper. industry” before pushing the MPA angle further
Initially made up of a number of smaller, by continuing that the Port Authority “hopes
unconnected islands, it is often held up as an to partner with those who are committed to
example of Singapore’s successful land recla- building up the global supply chain for low or
mation capabilities, and is currently used as the zero-carbon fuels, including ammonia, with Sin-
site of multiple chemical plants and gas storage gapore as a key bunkering hub.”
facilities. As such, the EoI request issued in the last
It is understood that the Singaporean authori- week is seen as a vital step, and one that con-
ties are setting their sights on the use of hydrogen firms Singapore is finally getting serious about
in line with a recent push for cleaner energy at its future zero-emissions pledges.™

P10 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 49 06•December•2022