Keppel, Electricite Du Laos join forces to import 100-mw renewables to Singapore

They also agree to explore other collaboration opportunities. 

Keppel Infrastructure Holdings Pte. Ltd. (KI) announced that one of its subsidiaries, Keppel Electric Pte. Ltd., has entered into an exclusive framework agreement with Electricite Du Laos (EDL) as part of the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP).

According to the framework, EDL will export, while Keppel will import, up to 100 megawatts (MW) of renewable hydropower from Lao PDR to Singapore. The route will also go through Thailand and Malaysia by way of existing interconnectors.

This project aims to jointly explore the possibilities of importing renewable energy into Singapore. The advancement of cross-border trading in ASEAN and supplementing efforts in the ASEAN Power Grid are several goals stated by the project, as well. 

Additional collaboration opportunities will also be explored by the partnership. According to the statement, this was done as a response to the demand for renewable energy, as well as the transition towards greener forms of energy. Covered by this transition are the development and supply of long-term renewable hydropower for the ASEAN region and renewable energy tracking, verification and assurance. 

Cindy Lim, CEO, KI, sees this agreement as a step towards promoting energy sustainability for the region. 

“Keppel is honoured to work with EDL on this regionally significant project to jointly explore opportunities to import renewable energy into Singapore. This project is not only a testament to the strong collaboration amongst ASEAN energy leaders, but it is also a significant step towards promoting greater energy infrastructure connectivity as well as energy sustainability for the region. The importation of renewable power from Lao PDR to Singapore is aligned with Keppel’s Vision 2030 to provide innovative solutions for sustainable urbanisation.”

Meanwhile, Chanthaboun Soukaloun, managing director, EDL, said that this partnership was a way of complimenting the ASEAN Power Grid for the future ahead. 

“EDL is delighted for this opportunity to supply power across two separate countries to Singapore and honoured to be able to partner with Keppel for this important project. This project is a complement to the realisation of the ASEAN Power Grid in the future. We would like to express our gratitude to Tenega Nasional Berhad and Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand for their continuous support in the LTMS-PIP Project. As we embarked to supply up to 100 MW to Singapore on a trial basis, we look forward to the long-term supply to Singapore in the future.” 

As of 2020, over 6,000 MW of cross-border electricity has been exported to neighbouring countries, which include Cambodia, China, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The country currently has more than 8,000 MW of hydropower capacity, with room for it to grow in the near future.