Singapore's Renewable Future

Abstract

Singapore's energy transition reflected a strategic shift towards a more sustainable energy landscape that would contribute towards the country’s ambitious goal of achieving a net-zero carbon footprint by 2050. These efforts to move towards a low-carbon future were not without obstacles. Singapore’s small size and limited land availability presented considerable hurdles to large-scale renewable energy projects. Maintaining the delicate balance between economic growth and environmental preservation was an ever-present challenge for Singapore, and some renewable technologies that might make sense for the country’s geographic circumstances were, as yet, far from economically viable. Further, as a resource-poor city-state that had long been heavily dependent on imports, Singapore faced the complexity of managing energy security in addition to adhering to its clean energy goals. Policymakers had to negotiate and find equilibrium among economic considerations, technological advancements, and environmental impact to realise a successful energy transition for Singapore.