Hydrogen to supply up to 50% of Singapore’s energy by 2050
Singapore aims to supply up to 50% of its energy requirements with hydrogen by 2050, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong in his keynote address on October 25 during Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2022. He revealed that Singapore is expected to have its first hydrogen power plant by the first half of 2026.
In his speech Wong unveiled a new, ambitious climate target for Singapore and a national hydrogen strategy, among others.
Singapore will reduce its 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target to peak emissions of around 60 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), a 5MtCO2e drop from the existing NDC target.
This announcement follows on Singapore’s initial target to halve its 2030 peak greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, with the aim of achieving net zero by or around mid-century.
Wong said that Singapore will formally submit its latest climate goals to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) during the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) from November 6-18, 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
The new climate target for Singapore builds on the recent Energy 2050 Committee Report that it is “technically viable” for Singapore to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, while maintaining energy security and affordability.
Low-carbon hydrogen to supply up to 50% of Singapore’s energy by 2050
Hydrogen has the potential to supply up to half of Singapore’s power generation mix by 2050. This follows the Energy 2050 Committee Report’s suggested pathways to navigate future uncertainties, where low carbon hydrogen could contribute around 10% and up to 60% of Singapore’s energy supply mix by 2050. Singapore will take steps to prepare for hydrogen deployment domestically and work with partners to build a hydrogen supply chain in Asia.
As part of Singapore’s national hydrogen strategy, the government will launch an Expression of Interest (EOI) for power generation starting 2027.
A further SGD129 million (USD91.7 million) will be set aside for Phase 2 of The Low-Carbon Energy Research Programme. The funding seeks to unlock technological bottlenecks for hydrogen adoption.
Development of hydrogen, ecosystems and infrastructure
Singapore will work closely with industry and international partners to advance low-carbon hydrogen developments. This includes Guarantee of Origin certification methodologies that are recognised by other jurisdictions and building a financial ecosystem to facilitate global trade of low-carbon hydrogen. Singapore will also work with partners from the industry, unions, and the education sector to support workforce development and support the growth of the domestic hydrogen economy, to enable Singaporeans to seize new opportunities.
In addition, the government will develop long-term land and infrastructure plans to prepare for large-scale domestic deployment when the time is right.
