Singapore, a compact island nation known for its meticulous urban planning and robust economic resilience, is charting a path toward a more sustainable and energy-secure future. Despite its inherent limitations—scarce land, lack of natural resources, and high population density—Singapore is determined to decarbonise its energy sector and become a global leader in clean energy innovation.
This article explores Singapore’s renewable energy journey, including its current landscape, policy frameworks, groundbreaking technologies, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
Singapore’s Evolving Renewable Energy Landscape
Current State and National Targets
Singapore’s renewable energy journey is still in its early stages but gaining momentum. As of May 2025, renewable energy accounts for approximately 2.58% of the nation’s total electricity consumption. While this figure may seem modest, it marks a significant improvement in a country that relies heavily on imported fossil fuels—predominantly natural gas, which supplies over 95% of its electricity needs.
The government has set a target of achieving 1.5 gigawatt-peak (GWp) of installed solar capacity by 2025 and 2 GWp by 2030—enough to power roughly 350,000 households annually. Clean energy imports will supplement this capacity, forming an essential part of Singapore’s energy diversification strategy. The long-term aim is to meet up to 30–40% of electricity demand with low-carbon sources by 2035, including imports and renewables.
Key Renewable Sources
Solar power is the cornerstone of Singapore’s domestic renewable energy effort. With year-round sunshine and advances in photovoltaic technology, solar is being deployed extensively on building rooftops, industrial facilities, reservoirs, and even temporary land parcels.
Some key projects include:
- Tengeh Reservoir Floating Solar Farm (60 MWp): One of the world’s largest inland floating solar farms.
- HDB and commercial rooftop systems: Extensively installed under schemes like the SolarNova programme.
Other potential sources such as deep geothermal energy are being researched but remain in nascent stages due to technological and geological uncertainties.
Regional Clean Energy Imports
Singapore’s energy security and sustainability strategy increasingly relies on regional electricity imports. Under projects like the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore (LTMS) Power Integration initiative, 200 MW of hydropower is already being imported. Additionally, Singapore has begun importing 50 MW from Malaysia under the ENEGEM trial.
By 2035, Singapore plans to import up to 4 GW of low-carbon electricity from countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, making this one of Southeast Asia’s most ambitious cross-border energy strategies.
Government Policies and Initiatives Driving the Transition
Singapore Green Plan 2030
At the heart of Singapore’s sustainability drive is the Singapore Green Plan 2030, a whole-of-nation roadmap that outlines the country’s environmental priorities. Key targets include:
- Quadrupling solar energy deployment by 2025.
- Greening 80% of buildings by 2030.
- Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with the public sector leading the way by 2045.
SolarNova Programme
Co-led by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and Economic Development Board (EDB), the SolarNova Programme aggregates public sector demand for solar energy systems. The most recent Phase 8, launched in 2024, aims to install 113 MWp of solar capacity across more than 1,000 HDB blocks and 100 government facilities.
This initiative not only reduces public sector emissions but also fosters local capabilities in solar installation and operations.
Energy Market Authority (EMA) Programmes
The EMA plays a pivotal role through its Four “R”s approach:
- Right Pricing – encourages efficient energy use.
- Regulatory Reduction – simplifies processes for solar installation.
- Raising Demand – through public sector leadership.
- Research and Development – promotes innovation in clean energy technologies.
National Hydrogen Strategy
Unveiled in 2022, the National Hydrogen Strategy positions hydrogen as a key pillar of Singapore’s future low-carbon power mix. By 2035, all new power plants are required to be at least 30% hydrogen-compatible. This strategy also involves investments in hydrogen research, infrastructure planning, and international collaboration.
Technological Innovations and Research
Singapore is tackling its physical and climatic constraints through a range of technological innovations:
Floating Solar Farms
The Tengeh Reservoir project is a model for land-scarce nations. The floating PV system not only avoids land competition but also benefits from the water’s cooling effect, which improves energy efficiency.
Future plans include expanding floating solar systems to other reservoirs and possibly nearshore waters.
Energy Storage Solutions (ESS)
Given the intermittent nature of solar energy, battery storage is critical. Singapore has implemented several pilot ESS projects, including a 200 MW/200 MWh system that helps stabilise the grid and smooth out demand peaks.
Smart Grids and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)
Smart grids and VPPs are being developed to intelligently manage distributed energy sources—such as rooftop solar, home batteries, and electric vehicles—as if they were a single entity. This technology is vital to enhancing grid resilience and maximising the value of decentralised generation.
Regulatory sandboxes by EMA allow startups and energy innovators to test and validate new solutions under real-world conditions.
Hydrogen-Ready Infrastructure
Singapore has committed to ensuring that new power infrastructure is future-ready. Projects like YTL PowerSeraya’s and PacificLight Power’s combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants—each 600 MW and hydrogen-compatible—are set to begin operations in 2027 and 2029, respectively.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Challenges
- Land Scarcity – Limits large-scale renewable deployment.
- Energy Intermittency – Solar energy output varies with weather and time.
- Grid Integration – Requires significant investment to manage decentralised inputs.
- High Capital Expenditure – Especially for hydrogen infrastructure, ESS, and transmission networks.
- Dependence on Imported Fuels – Makes transition more complex and potentially costly.
Opportunities
- Regional Collaboration – Singapore is uniquely positioned to invest in clean energy ventures across Southeast Asia, leveraging its financial and technological strengths.
- Technology Leadership – Investments in solar, hydrogen, and digital grids position Singapore as a hub for green innovation.
- Green Economy Development – The transition could create thousands of jobs in clean tech, engineering, and energy services.
- Carbon Footprint Reduction – Decoupling economic growth from emissions supports sustainable development and climate commitments.
The Future Outlook: A Decarbonised, Distributed, and Digital Energy System
Singapore is taking a pragmatic and forward-looking approach to its energy transition. The government has committed to:
- Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Reaching 2 GWp of solar capacity and 4 GW of electricity imports by 2035.
- Deploying low-carbon hydrogen and other emerging technologies to future-proof its energy system.
Singapore’s diversified energy mix—blending domestic renewables, regional imports, smart technologies, and innovative fuels—reflects a sophisticated strategy designed to balance energy security, environmental stewardship, and economic growth.
Moreover, Singapore’s efforts serve as a blueprint for other urbanised and resource-constrained nations, demonstrating that with innovation, cooperation, and strategic policy planning, a sustainable energy future is not only possible but attainable.
Conclusion: Singapore’s Renewable Energy Future Is Bright
While challenges remain, Singapore’s relentless pursuit of clean energy solutions reveals a nation not constrained by its limitations, but inspired by them. By investing in smart technologies, fostering regional partnerships, and championing policy innovation, Singapore is building a resilient, reliable, and renewable energy future—one that supports economic growth while safeguarding the environment for generations to come.
As global pressure to address climate change intensifies, Singapore’s proactive stance positions it not just as a regional player but as a global thought leader in navigating the energy transition. The road ahead is complex, but the path has been set—and it leads firmly toward a cleaner, greener future.