EMA Chief Discusses the Role of Renewable Energy Imports in the Asean Power Grid Development
Singapore’s growing demand for renewable energy is pushing the development of a regional power grid in Southeast Asia, which will enhance energy interconnectedness and stimulate investment in renewable projects. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) Chief Executive, Puah Kok Keong, emphasized that Singapore is committed to investing in renewable energy imports from neighboring countries, forming the backbone of the Asean regional power grid. This initiative aims to meet energy demands while reducing carbon emissions across the region.
By 2035, Singapore has signed agreements with Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam to import around 5.6 gigawatts (GW) of clean electricity, close to half of its 13GW generation capacity in 2023. With its limited capacity for domestic renewable energy production due to space constraints, Singapore is relying on imports to meet its growing electricity demand, which is expected to rise by 3 to 5 percent annually.
The development of the Asean regional grid has made significant progress, with Singapore already importing hydropower from Laos and expanding imports from Malaysia. This initiative supports Southeast Asia’s decarbonization goals by moving away from fossil fuels, reducing emissions, and making renewable energy more accessible across the region. Despite the higher electricity prices in Singapore, the country is willing to pay for clean energy imports, which could potentially be more cost-effective than other low-carbon alternatives like carbon capture technology.
