Electricity in Singapore in 2023

As of 2023, Singapore's electricity generation is predominantly dependent on fossil fuels, with over 95% of its electricity coming from fossil sources. Specifically, natural gas is the largest contributor, making up more than 92% of the total electricity generation. On the other hand, low-carbon or clean energy sources make up approximately 4.5% of the electricity mix, with biofuels contributing close to 3% and solar power around 1.6%. The minimal contribution from low-carbon energy highlights the critical need for the country to diversify its energy portfolio to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change impacts.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Singapore can learn from the successes of countries that have significantly integrated clean energy. For instance, France and Slovakia generate a substantial portion of their electricity from nuclear energy—65% and 62% respectively, indicating a strong potential for nuclear energy to significantly reduce fossil dependency. Additionally, Denmark's success in generating 53% of its electricity from wind power demonstrates the high viability of wind energy. By focusing on both nuclear and wind energy, Singapore could substantially lower its reliance on fossil fuels while ensuring a sustainable and resilient energy system. Countries like the Netherlands and Greece, which have successfully integrated solar energy into their grids (at 17% each), also provide valuable insights into scaling up solar capacity.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Singapore shows a gradual but consistent incorporation of biofuels and solar power. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, biofuels saw small incremental increases in electricity generation. This growth continued into the early 2000s, but significant contributions from biofuels did not emerge until 2019, which saw a notable increase of 1.1 TWh. Solar power began playing a role in 2016 with modest additions of 0.1 TWh. The most considerable gains for solar have been in the recent years, specifically from 2020 to 2023, with steady annual increases up to 0.3 TWh. This demonstrates an upward trend and growing commitment to clean energy sources, though more aggressive efforts will be necessary to keep pace with global sustainability goals.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources