Indonesia’s gas supply cut impacts less than 2% of Singapore demand: Singapore minister

The reduction of gas supplies from Indonesia is less than 2% of Singapore's total daily gas demand, said Singapore's Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry Tan See Leng at Singapore International Energy Week on Oct. 26.

Addressing Indonesia's announcement over the weekend that gas suppliers have reduced their piped gas exports to Singapore, Tan noted that Singapore can "keep calm and carry on."

"We have dealt with similar disruptions in the past without incident because of all of the measures that we have invested in and built up over many years... our households and businesses can be assured that our energy security is always at the top of our minds."

Tan said that Singapore will continue to expand options, strengthen partnerships around the world, and build even greater resilience.

He noted that Singapore GasCo will award its first long-term gas procurement contract by 2027.

Singapore will ensure it is prepared for every disruption as it pursues a low-carbon energy pathway, invests in decarbonization technologies, and takes steps to make an "informed decision" on the potential deployment of nuclear energy, Tan said.

On Oct. 25, SKK Migas chief Djoko Siswanto told Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, that Indonesia had reduced natural gas exports to Singapore by a combined 31 million standard cubic feet/day from Oct. 24, redirecting the gas to meet its domestic power demand.

Meanwhile, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said Oct. 22 that Indonesia will review gas export contracts with countries it considers uncooperative and could halt supplies to those that do not respect it, as the government prioritizes domestic energy needs.

Promising pathways

Singapore is pursuing multiple pathways and promising options to mitigate the impact of disruptions and ensure adequate energy supplies across a wide range of scenarios.

"Next year, we will undertake the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Mission to independently assess our capabilities across key areas such as nuclear safety, radioactive waste management, and emergency planning," Tan said.

According to Tan, solar remains Singapore's most viable indigenous renewable energy source.

Singapore is on track to meet its solar deployment target of 3 gigawatt-peak by 2030 and is working to expand capacity to 4 gigawatt-peak by 2035, Tan said.

"We are also investing in newer technologies that increase the efficiency of solar panels, which will help maximize our domestic solar potential as a land-constrained country," Tan said.

Tan also highlighted the Power Decarbonization Funding Initiative, with S$75 million ($58.62 million) to develop low-carbon technologies for cleaner and more secure power generation.

Singapore is also assessing its geothermal potential for power generation.

According to Tan, during a non-invasive geophysical survey launched last year, a consortium of consultants estimated that the technical potential of geothermal energy for power generation in Singapore is more than 60 times the country's annual electricity consumption of around 60 terawatt-hours.

"Given these positive preliminary findings, EMA will appoint a team of experts to study the feasibility of deploying next-generation geothermal power plants in Singapore," Tan added.