New standards for natural gas power plants aim to reduce emissions and support Singapore’s energy transition.
From 2024, all new and repowered natural gas power plants in Singapore will be required to meet stricter efficiency and hydrogen-readiness standards. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has announced that these plants must be 10% more efficient than current facilities and at least 30% hydrogen-compatible by volume.
Meeting Emission Standards
The newly established emission standards are designed to promote clean and efficient power generation. These standards will help reduce the carbon footprint of Singapore’s power sector, particularly as older power plants are replaced or upgraded. New gas engines that incorporate low-carbon energy sources, such as solar power or renewable energy imports, including wind or hydropower, must adhere to strict emission limits set by the EMA.
The EMA will discuss the new code of practice with the industry to ensure these standards are effectively implemented. Over the next decade, new and repowered units will be necessary to meet rising electricity demand while replacing ageing plants.
Emission Standards in Two Tiers
The emission standards are divided into two tiers:
Tier 1 applies to plants that operate regularly, such as combined-cycle gas turbines, and requires them to meet an emissions cap of 0.355 tonnes of CO2 per megawatt-hour produced. This is a 10% improvement over existing plants.
Tier 2 applies to facilities that run intermittently, such as open-cycle gas turbines used during peak demand, as well as new gas engines that integrate renewable energy sources. These units must also adhere to specific emission caps, but they will have more flexibility in terms of operation hours.
Both Tier 1 and Tier 2 plants will be required to be at least 30% hydrogen-ready by volume, with the potential to be fully hydrogen-compatible in the future. This will allow these plants to use hydrogen as a fuel once it becomes more commercially viable, supporting Singapore’s longer-term decarbonisation goals.
Supporting Decarbonisation and Energy Security
The move to integrate hydrogen and increase efficiency is aligned with Singapore’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The EMA emphasized that these emission standards are designed to future-proof the country’s power generation sector, ensuring that it remains reliable and efficient even as the energy landscape evolves.
Dr David Broadstock, Senior Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Sustainable and Green Finance Institute, commented that the new standards would encourage the integration of hydrogen into the natural gas mix, helping power generation companies reduce emissions while ensuring compliance with the new limits. He also noted that the introduction of Tier 2 facilities is essential for maintaining system stability, especially as low-carbon energy imports become more prevalent.
