Singapore to trial import of renewable hydropower from Laos in cross-border power trade deal

Singapore will begin trialling the import of hydropower from Laos via Thailand and Malaysia, following an agreement between Keppel Electric and Electricite Du Laos (EDL) announced on September 15.

Singapore will begin trialling the import of hydropower from Laos via Thailand and Malaysia. (Image for illustration/Reuters via VNA)
Singapore will begin trialling the import of hydropower from Laos via Thailand and Malaysia. (Image for illustration/Reuters via VNA)

The exclusive framework agreement between the two is part of the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP), an inter-government project to study the feasibility of cross-border power trade from Laos to Singapore.

The trial will start, likely in 2022, after all legal, commercial and technical issues are completed by the four involved countries.

The move to import renewable energy is crucial in helping Singapore meet its climate goals. Currently, more than 95% of energy consumed in the island country is generated from burning natural gas, a fossil fuel that releases planet-warming carbon dioxide when burned.

The Government has said that Singapore faces constraints in reducing emissions from the energy sector, as the country lacks land for large solar farms as well as access to other forms of renewable energy.

EDL will export and Keppel will import up to 100MW of renewable hydropower from Laos to Singapore via Thailand and Malaysia using existing interconnectors.