Singapore looking into two energy sources for sustainability: DPM Teo

Singapore

SINGAPORE is looking into two areas of energy sources for developments in sustainability, and it remains committed to the Paris Agreement, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said at Temasek Holdings' Ecosperity conference on Monday.

In a question posted by Chan Heng Chee - who moderated a discussion with Mr Teo - about the possibility of a fossil fuel-free Singapore, Mr Teo said that the government is pushing in the areas of solar energy and nuclear power.

"For solar energy, we are today at about 125-135 MWp (megawatt-peak)(See amendment note) . We intend to go to about 350 MWp (megawatt-peak) by 2020," he said.

On nuclear power, Mr Teo said that the current generation of nuclear power plants is not suitable for Singapore at this stage but is a possibility in generations to come.

In his speech, Mr Teo reiterated the government's plans to introduce a carbon tax from 2019 that was first announced in the Budget this year.

"We will intensify our efforts as we work towards achieving our commitment under the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions intensity by 36 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. Singapore remains committed to the Paris Agreement and supports the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

"We took early action to switch to natural gas. Today, natural gas generates around 95 per cent of our electricity, and we are among the 20 most carbon-efficient countries in the world. This means that we produce low levels of carbon emissions for every dollar of GDP (gross domestic product) generated," he added.

Thomas Trikasih Lembong, chairman of Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), also pledged Indonesia's commitment to the Paris Agreement at the conference.

"President Trump's decision to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement could actually be a good thing for the rest of the world. The US is leading and pioneering in renewable energy and technologies . . . there's a real threat to the rest of us," he said.

Citing Tesla and the Advanced Research Projects Agency as examples, Mr Lembong said that the US's lack of involvement in the agreement "buys the rest a bit of breathing space to catch up to the US".

Amendment Note: The correct unit of measurement for the target Mr Teo mentioned in his speech is MWp (megawatt-peak) and not MWh peak.