The Energy Market Authority (EMA) of Singapore has opened another round of its request for proposals (RFP), dubbed RFP2, as part of plans to import up to 4 GW of electricity by 2035 to decarbonize the country’s energy sector.

Back in November 2021, EMA launched an RFP to select and appoint new competent entities to import and sell up to 1.2 GW electricity in Singapore via new interconnectors between the country and the source country, for delivery by the end of 2027. The remaining capacity out of 4 GW plan was to be issued via RFP2 (see 1.2 GW Solar Development In Indonesia).

Now, it has streamlined both RFPs into a single RFP2. “This will provide more time and flexibility for interested participants to prepare their proposals, and allow EMA to achieve its objective of appointing Importers to import and sell up to 4GW by 2035,” explained EMA.

Under RFP1, it received 20 proposals to supply electricity from solar, wind, hydro and geothermal power from Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand. Proposals submitted under RFP1 will automatically be considered under RFP2 without the need to submit all over again, it added.

Under RFP 2, it is seeking non-binding proposals as expression of interest (EOI) for preliminary discussions. Final proposals for submission can be developed basis the discussions with EMA, any time before December 29, 2023.

EMA said it may also award conditional approvals (CA) to viable and attractive proposals at any time during the RFP process.

Interested companies need to demonstrate their supply reliability, credibility, tracl record, cost-competitiveness, and ability to supply and manage the carbon output of their power generation supply. The EMA specified it won’t entertain electricity supply proposals from coal-fired generation.

Details of RFP2, launched on July 1, 2022, are available on EMA’s website.

There is a lot going on in Singapore’s solar market with several companies interested in supplying solar power to the country from as far as Australia through Sun Cable’s AAPowerLink project, and as near as Indonesia from 1.2 GW Masdar, Tuas, EDFR and PT Indonesia project, and also Quantum Power Asia and ib vogt’s Indonesia solar and storage project (see Singaporean JV For 3.5 GW Solar & 12 GWh Storage).

As Singapore diversifies its power suppliers globally, Rethink Research analysts point out the ‘reliability’ aspect for the island nation as it hands over the country’s power generation to offshore entities in different countries with their ever changing policies and governments.