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Singapore’s role as a catalyst in Southeast Asia’s renewable energy revolution

Discover how Singapore is spearheading Southeast Asia’s shift towards renewable energy. Explore ambitious plans to import low-carbon electricity, cross-border agreements, and the potential for a regional energy grid, all shaping the region’s sustainable future.

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1 year ago

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VIETNAM : Southeast Asia is witnessing the expansion of international renewable energy agreements as the region takes steps to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

Leading the charge is Singapore, a nation heavily dependent on natural gas, which aims to import four gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon electricity by 2035, constituting 30% of its total supply.

This ambitious plan has opened doors for neighbouring countries as they ramp up renewable power generation, according to Nikkei Asia.

In 2022, Singapore initiated its imports with hydropower transmission from Laos through Thailand and Malaysia, totalling 100 megawatts over two years.

Regulatory approvals have been granted for the importation of two GW from five solar projects in Indonesia, and Singapore will also purchase electricity from a floating solar farm off Indonesia’s coast.

Furthermore, Singapore’s Keppel Infrastructure Holdings signed a monumental deal in March to acquire one GW of renewable power from Cambodia-based Royal Group through an undersea cable spanning over 1,000 kilometers.

This project is expected to catalyse the regional power grid and accelerate the growth of renewable energy within the Aseanregion, as stated by Keppel Infrastructure CEO Cindy Lim.

According to estimates by the International Energy Agency, Southeast Asia could generate over 40% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and reach 95% from renewables and ammonia by 2050, should countries meet their commitments under the Paris climate accord.

Achieving this necessitates an annual growth of approximately 10% in renewable capacity to accommodate the rising demand due to economic expansion.

This presents opportunities for countries like Laos, where about 70% of power generation relies on hydroelectric sources, primarily from the Mekong River.

Laos currently exports roughly 80% of its electricity, with significant portions going to Thailand and Vietnam.

In 2022, it began exporting electricity to Singapore and established transmission infrastructure this year to supply power to Cambodia.

In some instances, countries act as both buyers and sellers.

Vietnam, with its substantial wind power potential estimated at 600 GW, intends to export electricity to Singapore from its southern regions.

Meanwhile, central Vietnam will receive power from a new US$950 million wind power project in neighbouring Laos, which also provides northern Vietnam with hydropower.

As businesses seek alternatives to China, particularly in northern and central Vietnam, the country is racing to address persistent energy shortages.

The recent surge in oil prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine underscored the vulnerabilities of relying on fossil fuels, given the concentration of reserves among a few nations.

Cross-border renewable energy agreements aim to diversify the region’s energy supply, providing greater resilience against disasters and geopolitical risks.

Hiroshi Takahashi, a renewable energy policy expert at Japan’s Hosei University, views the development of cross-border electrical grids as a form of “collective energy security” and sees Asean as an ideal candidate for such initiatives.

Asean’s ten member states are economically interconnected, despite their diverse political systems.

However, the successful completion and operation of such a grid remain uncertain.

Progress has stalled on the Australia-Asia Power Link, a planned $30 billion Australian dollar (US$19 billion) project by Sun Cable to transmit electricity from a 20 GW solar farm in Australia to Singapore through a 4,200-kilometer undersea cable.

The project’s fate may change following Sun Cable’s recent acquisition, with new owners expressing intentions to revive the initiative.

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Crime

Singaporean fugitive deported from Thailand, to be charged with drug trafficking

A Singaporean fugitive arrested in Thailand, was deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024 and faces drug trafficking charges. Authorities expect him to face the death penalty under Singapore’s tough drug laws for running a smuggling operation between Thailand, Australia, and Singapore.

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13 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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A 31-year-old Singaporean man, wanted for drug trafficking offences, was arrested in Thailand and deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024.

The fugitive, identified as Benny Kee Soon Chuan, was apprehended by Thai police at his residence near Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and will face charges in court on 20 September.

Kee, described as a high-level trafficker, ran a smuggling operation that trafficked crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, and Ecstasy to Australia and Singapore using Thailand as a transit hub, according to Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, secretary-general of Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Cross-Border Investigation and Arrest

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore had issued an arrest warrant for Kee following investigations into two drug trafficking cases in December 2020 and November 2022.

He had been on the run since 11 April 2016, prompting CNB to collaborate with its international counterparts, including the ONCB. Thai authorities were tipped off by CNB on 12 August 2024, and after weeks of investigation, Kee was apprehended on 17 September.

Thai immigration officials revealed that Kee had entered Thailand earlier in 2024 using a Vanuatu passport.

Following his arrest, Kee’s Thai visa was cancelled, and assets worth 15 million baht (S$585,000), including luxury watches, gold pieces, and a luxury car, were seized during a raid on his residence in Samut Prakan.

Lt Gen Panurat confirmed that the fugitive had been living an affluent lifestyle in Thailand despite lacking legitimate employment.

Links to Broader Drug Network

Kee is believed to be linked to other Singaporean traffickers involved in the smuggling of drugs from Thailand.

In March 2021, Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force (AITF) intercepted packages containing Ecstasy and ketamine destined for Singapore, as well as crystal methamphetamine bound for Australia.

Two other Singaporean men, aged 21 and 29 at the time of their arrests, were later sentenced to imprisonment and caning in Singapore for their involvement in these operations, which were connected to Kee’s trafficking network.

Death Penalty Under Singaporean Law

Kee’s deportation to Singapore brings him under the jurisdiction of Singapore’s severe drug laws, which prescribe the death penalty for those convicted of trafficking substantial amounts of controlled substances.

Singaporean authorities have indicated that he could face the death penalty under the country’s strict drug trafficking laws. Pol Lt Gen Panurat indicated that Singaporean authorities are expected to seek the maximum penalty for Kee’s alleged offences.

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Arts & Culture

Epigram Books to close SAM bookshop amid low sales and footfall

Epigram Books will shut down its bookshop at the Singapore Art Museum on 26 January 2025, citing low sales and foot traffic. The independent bookstore, known for supporting local authors, will continue to operate its online store, but its future in brick-and-mortar retail is uncertain.

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13 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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Epigram Books, a major supporter of Singaporean literature, will close its Epigram Coffee Bookshop at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) on 26 January 2025.

The decision comes after years of struggling with low sales and foot traffic at the Tanjong Pagar Distripark location, marking the end of the bookstore’s three-year lease.

The announcement on 19 September follows Times Bookstores’ closure of its final outlet in Holland Road, highlighting the growing challenges faced by brick-and-mortar bookstores in Singapore.

Edmund Wee, publisher at Epigram Books, expressed disappointment, stating: “We tried everything to make this work. Over the past three years, we’ve often asked ourselves, how many people even knew our bookstore existed here, let alone visited?”

Despite efforts to boost traffic, including operating shuttles to increase accessibility, the bookstore struggled to attract visitors consistently.

Epigram Coffee Bookshop, previously located at the Urban Redevelopment Authority Centre on Maxwell Road and later in a pop-up at Beach Road, relocated to SAM in May 2022 in partnership with Balestier Market Collective.

The 20-seater store featured towering shelves showcasing local and Southeast Asian titles, including books from other independent publishers like Ethos Books and Math Paper Press.

However, the location’s industrial setting, which only saw spikes in visitors during major exhibitions like Olafur Eliasson’s, limited consistent footfall.

The closure coincides with the end of Eliasson’s exhibit on 22 September 2024. Although the exhibition provided a temporary boost to the bookshop’s sales, Epigram noted that the increased traffic was short-lived.

Epigram’s future in physical retail remains uncertain. Mr Wee indicated that high rental costs make reopening a physical store unlikely: “Unless rent prices relent, it’s unlikely we’ll move into another space.”

Epigram Books has been a significant presence in Singapore’s independent book scene, promoting local authors and holding literary events.

The bookshop was also a community hub for the literary arts, hosting numerous book launches and events supporting local writers. “These spaces are special to our literary arts community. They’re where book lovers gather, where literary events and book launches happen in support of our writers,” said Mr Wee.

Despite the closure of the SAM store, Epigram will continue to operate its online store. The publisher emphasized the need for continued support from readers: “We’ve come this far with everyone’s support, and we look forward to continued support from our readers as we transition to focus on online sales.”

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