Singapore has given initial approvals for five energy projects in Indonesia as part of a plan to import clean electricity from neighboring countries and reduce dependence on natural gas.
The Energy Market Authority of Singapore said on Friday that the projects will produce a total of 2 gigawatts and are expected to start commercial operations from late 2027.
"Importing low-carbon electricity through the regional grid is a key enabler for Singapore's efforts to decarbonise its energy supply," the department said in a statement.
Licensed companies include PT Adaro Clean Energy Indonesia Division, Medco Power Global, Keppel Energy, EDP Renewables APAC and Gurin Energy Division.
The projects build solar power plants in Indonesia with a total capacity of 11 gigawatts and 21 gigawatt-hours of battery power.
Could nuclear power affect Singapore?
Could nuclear power affect Singapore?
Singapore, which currently produces 95 percent of its electricity with natural gas, is trying to decarbonize its energy sector but is hampered by a lack of land for solar and wind farms. Instead, the authorities plan to import 30% of electricity by 2035.
"The growth of renewable energy in Asia is going to be faster and bigger than people think," said Asad Razu, CEO of Gurin Energy. The company, which aims to bring solar power to Singapore in the Riau Islands, has about 7 gigawatts of projects in various stages of development in the region, including Japan and South Korea.
In March, Indonesia and Singapore signed an agreement to jointly develop renewable energy projects that could power the city-state. Singapore earlier granted permission to Keppel Energy to import 1 gigawatt of electricity from Cambodia.
Billionaire Mike Cannon Brooks confirmed on Thursday that his Sun Cable project, which aims to transport clean energy via a 4,200km undersea cable from Australia to Singapore, is in talks with authorities and plans to apply for an initial import license later this month.
