Singapore gives conditional nod to 1.3 GW regional electricity import plan

Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) has conditionally approved Sembcorp Utilities’ proposal to bring in 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon power from Vietnam and Malaysia, the regulator said on Oct 26. The Sembcorp Industries subsidiary and its partner, MY Energy Consortium, aim to begin operations in 2035.

The partners said the Vietnam-Malaysia-Singapore initiative would combine offshore wind generation in Vietnam with Malaysian solar power and battery storage. A proposed regional electricity corridor would carry Vietnamese renewable power through Malaysia, supplying users in both Malaysia and Singapore.

MY Energy Consortium comprises Petronas, Tenaga Nasional and Petrovietnam Technical Services Corporation. The partners said the initiative would support regional energy connections and the ASEAN Power Grid.

Announcing the approval at Singapore International Energy Week, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng said the proposal widened Singapore’s potential electricity import routes from Malaysia. It would be Singapore’s fourth cross-border low-carbon power import project with Malaysia.

Tan also said marine subsea surveys for a proposed new 2 GW electricity interconnection between Singapore and peninsular Malaysia would start in October. If successful, it would become their second power link; the existing connection permits flows in either direction of up to 1 GW.

EMA and Malaysia’s Energy Commission have formed a working group to align renewable energy certificate arrangements for cross-border power trade. Tan said imports must remain commercially viable and competitively priced against other decarbonisation options, with Singapore adjusting its ambitions to regional cooperation and market conditions.