SG grants conditional approval for 1GW hydropower import from Sarawak

The project targets commercial operations by around 2035.

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has granted Conditional Approval to Sembcorp Utilities Pte Ltd and its consortium partner Sarawak Energy Berhad to import 1 gigawatt (GW) of low-carbon electricity from Sarawak, Malaysia, to Singapore.

The approval marks a new phase of energy cooperation between the two countries.

EMA said the consortium’s proposal is technically and commercially viable, using hydropower from Sarawak to supply Singapore. The Conditional Approval allows the consortium to move ahead with project development and secure necessary approvals from relevant jurisdictions, including countries where transmission cables will pass.

The project targets commercial operations by around 2035.

Imports of low-carbon electricity are a key part of Singapore’s plan to decarbonise its power sector, which currently contributes about 40% of the nation’s carbon emissions.

EMA said it will continue to work with companies that have credible and commercially viable import proposals to support the decarbonisation of Singapore’s energy system.

Two ceremonies were held to mark the occasion — one in Singapore and another in Kuala Lumpur.

In Singapore, the ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Gan Kim Yong and Sarawak Premier YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.

In Kuala Lumpur, it was witnessed by Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof and Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Dr Tan See Leng, on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM).

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