Firms partner to export clean electricity to Singapore

Energy infrastructure developer Quantum Power Asia and German solar energy solutions provider Ib Vogt will build solar and battery storage facilities in Indonesia, which could export up to 4 TWh/yr of electricity to Singapore.

Anantara Energy, a joint venture between Singapore-based Quantum and Ib Vogt, aims to develop renewable energy in Indonesia and support Singapore's goal of importing clean energy, the companies said on 19 April. Quantum will provide $5bn to build a 3.5GW solar facility and 12GWh battery storage facility across 4,000 hectares in Indonesia's Riau Islands province. The electricity will be transported to Singapore via an undersea cable.

If approved by Singapore's Energy Market Authority (EMA) as a licensed electricity importer, the project could be fully commissioned in 2032 and is expected to meet about 8pc of Singapore's electricity needs, the companies said.

About 95pc of Singapore's electricity is currently produced from natural gas. The country has plans to import up to 4GW, or 30pc, of its electricity from low-carbon sources by 2035, as part of its aim to decarbonise its gas-heavy power sector and ensure energy security. The EMA has accordingly issued requests for proposals (RFPs) to supply and import low-carbon electricity. Anantara's project comes in response to the RFPs.

Anantara has also appointed Singapore electricity retailer Union Power as its import and retail partner to deliver clean energy and related services to the residential, industrial and commercial sectors.

The project "will become the largest [photovoltaic] storage system globally to date," said managing director and chief executive officer of Ib Vogt, Simon G Bell, adding that "it will also contribute significantly to Singapore's journey towards carbon neutrality."

EMA in March published a report setting out decarbonisation scenarios for Singapore's power sector. In two out of the three scenarios presented, Singapore relies significantly on electricity imports - possibly up to 60pc of its energy mix - to diversify its energy supply, emphasising the importance of clean electricity imports in Singapore's journey to net zero emissions.

By Prethika Nair