Pioneer's offshore solar import project to power SG consumers

This will supply RE exclusively to Singapore through solar panels at Bulan Island, Indonesia.

Singapore's Energy Market Authority (EMA) has granted in-principle approval to PacificLight Power, a Singapore-based power generation and electricity retail company, working with a consortium comprising of Indonesia's Medco Power, and Salim Group's Gallant Venture, on a 100-megawatt (MW) pilot solar import project from Indonesia to Singapore.

The consortium signed a joint development agreement during the Singapore International Energy Week on 25 October, witnessed by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia and the Second Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore.

The project will supply renewable electricity exclusively to Singapore through solar panels at Bulan Island, 2.5 kilometres southwest of Batam Island, Indonesia. The project will have an installed generation capacity of 670 MW-peak in the initial phase, which will provide 100 MW equivalent of non-intermittent electricity. The renewable electricity generated will be supplied via a dedicated plant-to-grid 230 kilovolt HVAC subsea connection to Singapore.

"PLP is committed to providing our customers with long term efficient energy solutions that are cost-competitive and sustainable," said PacificLight CEO Yu Tat Ming.

Medco Power CEO Eka Satria added the company are delighted to be working with PacificLight and the Salim Group in developing the Bulan Project. "In addition to the benefits that the project brings to Singapore in achieving its renewable energy targets, this project also provides many benefits to Indonesia through the investment commitment, job and industry creation, and technology transfer, especially in the Province of Kepulauan Riau," Satria noted.

The electricity generation will be sufficient to power over 144,000 four-room HDB flats per annum and offset over 357,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The project will play a pivotal role in meeting the Singapore government's objectives to increase power generation from renewable sources and reduce the nation's reliance on fossil fuels.