SINGAPORE: Singapore will build two "fast start" power generating units to boost the reliability of its power system.
They will provide 100 megawatts of fast start generation capacity by the second quarter of 2025, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) said in a media release on Monday (Apr 29).
EMA awarded the right to build, own and operate the two units to PacificLight Power (PLP).
"This follows a request for proposal called by the Energy Market Company, on behalf of EMA, in December 2023 to ensure that Singapore continues to enjoy uninterrupted power supply when unexpected events occur in our power system," EMA said.
The new units, which "can be brought from standstill to full load within 18 minutes" according to PacificLight Power CEO Yu Tat Ming, will help to prevent imbalances between electricity supply and demand.
EMA said it is vital to maintain a continuous balance between electricity supply and demand in the power system as any imbalance can cause supply instability and disruptions.
"System imbalances can arise when generating units experience technical faults and undergo unplanned outages," it said.
"Such events may occur as new and larger generation units are commissioned in the near term, and large-scale low-carbon electricity imports from the region are phased in by the end of the decade."
In a statement, EMA chief executive Ngiam Shih Chun also said that fast start power generating units will play a key role as Singapore seeks greener energy.
"As we move towards a clean energy future and our energy sources become more varied, it is critical that Singapore has sufficient back-up capacity to ensure consumers continue to enjoy supply reliability," he said.
"The fast start generating units by PLP will bolster the reliability and security of Singapore's power system with the potential to switch to using hydrogen instead of natural gas in the future."
In May 2023, EMA announced that its subsidiary Meranti Power would build, own and operate two fast start open cycle gas turbine (OCGT) units at a power station on Jurong Island.
The quick response units, which are expected to be operationally ready by June 2025, will have a capacity of 340 megawatts each.
They will replace Singapore's existing OCGTs, which are more than 30 years old. The existing units have a combined capacity of more than 400 megawatts.
OCGTs are "offline" units that can augment combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) – which are already "online" and generating electricity – in the event of any sudden shortfall in supply.
While CCGTs can increase their output within minutes to make up for supply-side imbalances, the amount of spare capacity available is limited.
They also cannot start up or respond quickly to changes in demand patterns, as they take up to 14 hours to reach full generation output from a "cold" state.
Continue reading...
They will provide 100 megawatts of fast start generation capacity by the second quarter of 2025, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) said in a media release on Monday (Apr 29).
EMA awarded the right to build, own and operate the two units to PacificLight Power (PLP).
"This follows a request for proposal called by the Energy Market Company, on behalf of EMA, in December 2023 to ensure that Singapore continues to enjoy uninterrupted power supply when unexpected events occur in our power system," EMA said.
The new units, which "can be brought from standstill to full load within 18 minutes" according to PacificLight Power CEO Yu Tat Ming, will help to prevent imbalances between electricity supply and demand.
EMA said it is vital to maintain a continuous balance between electricity supply and demand in the power system as any imbalance can cause supply instability and disruptions.
"System imbalances can arise when generating units experience technical faults and undergo unplanned outages," it said.
"Such events may occur as new and larger generation units are commissioned in the near term, and large-scale low-carbon electricity imports from the region are phased in by the end of the decade."
In a statement, EMA chief executive Ngiam Shih Chun also said that fast start power generating units will play a key role as Singapore seeks greener energy.
"As we move towards a clean energy future and our energy sources become more varied, it is critical that Singapore has sufficient back-up capacity to ensure consumers continue to enjoy supply reliability," he said.
"The fast start generating units by PLP will bolster the reliability and security of Singapore's power system with the potential to switch to using hydrogen instead of natural gas in the future."
In May 2023, EMA announced that its subsidiary Meranti Power would build, own and operate two fast start open cycle gas turbine (OCGT) units at a power station on Jurong Island.
The quick response units, which are expected to be operationally ready by June 2025, will have a capacity of 340 megawatts each.
They will replace Singapore's existing OCGTs, which are more than 30 years old. The existing units have a combined capacity of more than 400 megawatts.
OCGTs are "offline" units that can augment combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) – which are already "online" and generating electricity – in the event of any sudden shortfall in supply.
While CCGTs can increase their output within minutes to make up for supply-side imbalances, the amount of spare capacity available is limited.
They also cannot start up or respond quickly to changes in demand patterns, as they take up to 14 hours to reach full generation output from a "cold" state.
Continue reading...