SINGAPORE – Nuclear power plants can provide a stable supply of electricity, similar to the current fossil fuel plants powering Singapore, so tapping such an energy source in the future may not require a major change for Singapore’s power grid, said SP PowerGrid chief executive Jimmy Khoo on Sept 2.

But he added that as nuclear energy is still being studied, there might be new requirements to consider as the grid operator.

Singapore has not made a decision on whether nuclear power could be part of its energy mix in the future, but is taking steps to study the feasibility of its use. At the same time, the Republic also plans to tap other sources of energy, including imports from its neighbours and more renewable energy.

However, renewable energy generation can be intermittent, with more electricity generated by solar panels when the sun is directly overhead, and less during the early morning and late afternoon hours, for example.

Speaking to the media at the sidelines of a tour of the group’s electricity distribution control centre in Ayer Rajah, Khoo noted that nuclear reactions generate energy which drives steam engines, similar to how electricity is generated in Singapore’s existing combined cycle gas turbine facilities.

“(Nuclear plants) are like any other generator,” he said, contrasting the output of a nuclear plant with that from renewable sources, such as solar panels.

SP PowerGrid - which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SP Group - owns and operates the electricity and gas transmission and distribution networks.

SP Group, as the operator of Singapore’s network of power cables that distribute the energy from power plants to homes and businesses, will also have to ensure that it is ready to enable Singapore’s transition from fossil fuels to other energy sources in a reliable way, Khoo said.

Singapore has a target to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. This would entail bringing down emissions from its power sector, which currently contributes about 40 per cent of total emissions, as well as that fro...