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| The new hydrogen-powered power plant will be built on a vacant lot on Jurong Island, Singapore. (Source: Business Times) |
The information was released by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) of Singapore on January 3. Accordingly, PacificLight Power was awarded a contract to build a hydrogen-compatible natural gas-fired power plant on Jurong Island, expected to begin operations in 2029. PacificLight Power said the project is the largest and most efficient combined-cycle gas turbine facility in Singapore.
The plant will have a capacity of at least 600 megawatts, enough to power about 864,000 four-room apartments for a year, according to PacificLight Power. When it starts operating, it will be able to burn at least 30 percent hydrogen — a cleaner fuel — with the remainder burning natural gas to generate electricity. In the future, the plant will be able to burn 100 percent hydrogen as the power industry moves toward net-zero carbon emissions.
Singapore plans to build at least nine hydrogen-powered power plants by 2030. PacificLight says its newly announced facility will be the largest of these. It will also be the first to be paired with a large-scale battery energy storage system that stores electricity during off-peak times.
The total cost of the project, including plant and machinery, construction, battery storage systems and related infrastructure, is estimated at around $1 billion. This will be paid over a three-year construction period. An environmental impact assessment is being prepared for the project.
In a statement on the same day, PacificLight Power said its site on Jurong Island is “large enough in size” to accommodate a second gas turbine unit in the future and also has the potential to integrate carbon capture, utilization and storage technology. This underscores PacificLight Power’s commitment to adopting innovative solutions that enhance system reliability while reducing operating costs and environmental impact.
Singapore currently relies on natural gas to generate the majority of its electricity, but needs to transition to greener energy sources to achieve its net-zero emissions target. From 2024, all new and upgraded natural gas power plants in Singapore must be at least 30% hydrogen compatible.
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