Singapore Energy Authorities Give PacificLight Power Go-Ahead on Hydrogen-Ready 600-MW Gas Turbine Plant
Singapore electricity utility PacificLight Power (PLP) has been awarded the right to build, own, and operate a hydrogen-ready combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) facility on Jurong Island.
Approved by the nation’s Energy Market Authority (EMA), the facility is scheduled to begin operations in January 2029. It will have capacity of at least 600 MW and will help strengthen Singapore's energy security, enhance grid stability as well as advance the nation's transition towards a low-carbon future.
Singapore is trying to keep pace with its plan to phase out coal-fired power completely by 2050. Coal-fired power is only 1.2% of Singapore’s current electricity generation resource mix.
The CCGT plant, to be built on a greenfield site, will include a battery energy storage system, highlighting PLP's commitment to adopt solutions enhancing system stability while reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
"We are honored that EMA has selected PacificLight to deliver two critical projects: the 100-MW Fast Start Project in April 2024 and now the right to develop a new power plant,” Yu Tat Ming, CEO of PacificLight Power, said in a statement. “By integrating hydrogen-ready and battery storage technologies, the new facility will position PacificLight to transition to a low-carbon future. We are committed to delivering the new plant safely and on schedule."
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The plant will be capable of using at least 30% hydrogen at inception and will have the ability to burn 100% hydrogen in the future. The greenfield site on Jurong Island is enough to accommodate a second CCGT unit and has the potential for future integration of CCUS technology.
The new plant is followed by PLP's existing 830-MW CCGT facility and 100 MW of Fast Start capacity, under construction and expected to commence operations in the second quarter of 2025.
Hydrogen does not contain carbon in its molecular chain but must be generated either by steam refoming of methane natural gas, which is carbon intensive, or by electrolyzers which split the H2 from water.