Assessing Risk of Simultaneously Low Solar Generation and Impact on Electricity Reliability, and Measures to Mitigate Supply Risks
Ministry of Trade and IndustrySpeakers
Summary
This question concerns electricity reliability, as Mr Gabriel Lam asked about mitigating the risks of simultaneously low domestic and imported solar generation over prolonged periods and whether resilience assessments guide future electricity import approvals. Minister for Trade and Industry Dr Tan See Leng replied that the Energy Market Authority (EMA) monitors power supply and demand continuously to ensure power system stability. He stated that domestic natural gas-fired power plants provide sufficient backup capacity during prolonged domestic solar shortfalls, a strategy that will also apply to future increased electricity imports. Furthermore, Singapore's Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) can respond within seconds to sudden shortfalls, with additional BESS deployment planned alongside growth in local solar and electricity imports. He confirmed that EMA evaluates electricity import proposals specifically to ensure system resilience during prolonged periods of simultaneously low domestic solar and imported electricity volumes.
Transcript
48 Mr Gabriel Lam asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) (a) whether the Energy Market Authority has assessed the risk of simultaneously low solar generation across Singapore and those imported from Johor over prolonged periods, and its impact on electricity reliability; (b) what reserve capacity or contingency measures are in place to mitigate such correlated supply risks; and (c) whether these resilience assessments form part of the criteria for approving future electricity import projects.
Dr Tan See Leng: The Energy Market Authority (EMA) monitors power supply and demand around the clock to ensure that our power systems remain stable. In the event of prolonged low generation from domestic solar installations, we have sufficient domestic generation capacity in the form of natural gas-fired power plants to provide replacement supply. Singapore currently imports only a very small amount of electricity, but if we increase the volume of imports in the future, we will maintain similar backup plans.
In addition, we have the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Singapore, which can respond within seconds to mitigate sudden shortfalls from domestic solar or imported electricity. As we increase the deployment of local solar and the volume of electricity imports, we will also deploy more BESS as necessary to maintain stringent power supply reliability standards.
Similarly, when EMA evaluates electricity import proposals, it also ensures that our power system will continue to be resilient with the entry of more imported electricity, including in situations when there are simultaneously low volumes of domestic solar energy and imported electricity over prolonged periods.