Singapore’s only active coal plant to transition to biomass by 2028
This will put the Republic 22 years ahead of its deadline to phase out unabated coal
[SINGAPORE] The Republic’s only active coal-burning plant will transition to running fully on biomass, a renewable fuel, by 2028, its operator Tuas Power announced on Thursday (Oct 30).
The move will transform the Tembusu Multi-Utilities Complex (TMUC), located on Jurong Island, into Singapore’s largest green steam and green power cogeneration facility.
It will also put Singapore 22 years ahead of its 2050 deadline to phase out unabated coal. The Republic made the commitment in 2021, after joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance during the 26th edition of the annual climate forum, the Conference of the Parties.
Tuas Power “aims to deliver reliable, non-intermittent green steam and power, and in future, other potential sustainable utilities for consumers in Singapore,” said its chief operating officer Michael Wong.
The company also aims to build internal expertise and capabilities as the biomass sector expands across South-east Asia.
Built in 2013 with a S$1 billion investment, TMUC is Singapore’s largest steam generation plant, supporting Jurong Island’s energy and chemical companies in daily operations.
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It was originally designed to operate on an 80:20 coal-to-biomass ratio, but has steadily increased the use of biomass in recent years. The biomass feedstock includes imported wood pellets and palm kernel shells, as well as locally-sourced waste wood chips.
TMUC’s full shift to sustainable biomass is expected to reduce Tuas Power’s reckonable emissions by 1 million tonnes. Singapore aims to lower its peak emissions of 64.43 million tonnes to 60 million tonnes by 2030.
Tuas Power credits its ability to transition the support of long-term utilities customers, such as Arlanxeo and CCD, as well as new partners. This includes YCH Group, StarHub, ABB Singapore and Digital Realty, which have committed to long-term green power purchases.
The company is in discussions with more consumers to expand offtake agreements and ensure the transition is commercially sustainable.
Tuas Power generates over 10,000 gigawatt-hours annually, meeting a fifth of SIngapore’s electricity demand. Besides biomass, the company is exploring other green projects – electricity imports, hydrogen-ready combined cycle plants and renewables.
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