Singapore is stepping up efforts to develop hydrogen and decarbonise heavy industry.
Last November, ground was broken on the 600 megawatt (MW) Keppel Sakra Cogen plant which is expected to be ready in the first half of next year. Once operational, the plant will expand Keppel’s generation capacity by nearly 50% to 1,900 MW.
That came hot on the heels of YTL PowerSaraya starting work on a 600MW hydrogen-ready Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) at its Pulau Seraya Power Station (PSPS) site.
Today (3rd January), the Energy Market Authority (EMA) awarded PacificLight Power (PLP) the right to build, own, and operate a new hydrogen-ready CCGT generating unit, seeing off five competitors in the process.
It will also offer at least 600 MW in generation capacity, and slated to launch in 2029. The $1bn facility will be paired with a large-scale battery energy storage system.
The plant will be capable of using at least 30% hydrogen on start-up, but PLP intends for it to burn 100% hydrogen in future.
Singapore aims to have at least nine hydrogen-compatible power plants by 2030, and under its National Hydrogen Strategy, it anticipates low-carbon hydrogen meeting up to 50% of the country’s electricity demand by 2050. Sembcorp and Meranti Power also have projects on the drawing board.
Historically the city state has been dependent on natural gas to generate most of its electricity but since 2024, all new and repowered natural gas power plants must be at least 30% hydrogen compatible.
The CCGTs in development will further diversify Singapore’s power mix, complementing solar, imported electricity, and other low-carbon energy sources.
Leong Jia Yong, Senior Analyst in the Hydrogen & Sustainable Energies Office of EMA, said hydrogen’s unique properties are advantageous for an alternative-energy disadvantaged country like Singapore. But he acknowledged the global supply chain must evolve to make hydrogen a viable and affordable choice.
“The world will need to develop new infrastructure, including low- or zero-carbon hydrogen or ammonia production plants, hydrogen export and import terminals, pipelines. There is also a need to develop and scale up new applications for hydrogen or its derivatives,” he said.
