THE Energy Market Authority (EMA) is providing grants for power generation companies to conduct feasibility studies on whether carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities can be developed on their sites.
This grant call, announced by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong at the Singapore International Energy Week on Monday (Oct 21), aims to study two CCS pathways for the power sector. The two pathways are post-combustion carbon capture for combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGT), and pre-combustion carbon capture to produce hydrogen for power generation.
Post-combustion carbon capture refers to the installation of an on-site unit to capture carbon dioxide from waste gas produced during the combustion of natural gas in CCGTs. Pre-combustion carbon capture refers to the installation of a facility that can capture carbon dioxide generated during the production of hydrogen from natural gas. The hydrogen would then be combusted in CCGTs to generate power.
Both pathways involve capturing the carbon dioxide produced and storing it in underground storage sites.
The use of CCS is being explored as a possible solution to decarbonise Singapore’s natural gas sector, a fossil fuel the city-state is still reliant on due to its lack of renewable energy resources. The government is already working on CCS projects to aggregate carbon emissions – at least two million tonnes – on Jurong Island for overseas storage, with its first phase likely to start around 2030.
If proven feasible, these power sector CCS pathways could potentially leverage future phases of the Jurong Island cross-border CCS project.
It can also allow Singapore to use its existing natural gas infrastructure to achieve the country’s decarbonisation goals, unlike other low-carbon alternatives. The Republic had previously set a target of achieving net-zero emissions for the power sector by 2050.
Power generation companies eligible for the grant need to be operating or bidding to operate an advanced CCGT on Jurong Island or Tuas by 2035. They must also have completed a pre-feasibility study for either of the two CCS pathways. Those interested have to submit their proposals by Jan 31, 2025.
Their proposals will be evaluated based on the amount of additional land required, the quality of the proposal, as well as the funding requested from EMA.
