In its media release, EMA said the trial aims toassess and refine the technical and regulatory frameworks for importingelectricity into Singapore, and this will help to facilitate larger-scaleimports from the region in the future.
"To meet our climate change commitments,there is a need to change the way Singapore produces and uses energy," EMAsaid, adding that tapping on regional power grids for cleaner energy resourcesis one strategy to further diversify Singapore’s energy supply.
In a keynote speech delivered at theopening of the Singapore International Energy Week, Minister for Trade andIndustry Chan Chun Sing said the move is part of Singapore's planto strengthen the "regional grid architecture".
The country will kick this off by importing 100MW of electricity for a trial period of two years to see how the market works.Once the concept takes off, it will be able to extend this to other regionalplayers, according to the official.
EMA plans to issue a request for proposal byMarch next year for 100 MW of electricity imports, which will make up about 1.5percent of Singapore’s peak electricity demand.
Under this request for proposal, electricityimports could begin in late 2021. An importer will be selected through an openand competitive selection process, the authority said./.