10 SOLAR PV IN SINGAPORE IN THE ABSENCE OF SUBSIDIES
227
Fig. 10.1 Singapore electricity fuel mix (2003–2007) (Note Author created
figure based on data from Energy Market Authority [2018b])
As of June 2018, Singapore’s total installed generation capacity was
approximately 13.5 GW (Energy Market Company 2018a). This is almost
double the 2017 peak demand and well above the required minimum
reserve margin of 30%. 1 This capacity almost entirely consists of natural
gas combined-cycle turbines. Figure 10.1 shows that the share of natural
gas in the total fuel mix for electricity generation has grown from about
36.5% in 2003 to approximately 95.3% in 2017. Waste incineration and
a coal-biomass project contribute the remaining 4.1%, and fuel oil, used
occasionally, contributes the remaining 0.6% (Energy Market Authority
2018b).
Deregulation
Singapore’s electricity sector was deregulated starting in 1995, with
generation and retail privatized in subsequent years and the transmission
& distribution remaining under government control. Today, Singapore’s
generation sector consists of seven private companies with three large
players occupying about 58% of the market share, as compared to 83%
market share in 2005 (Energy Market Authority 2018a). The transmission and distribution system is effectively owned and managed by
government-held companies, SP PowerAssets Ltd and SP PowerGrid Ltd,
respectively. 2
227
Fig. 10.1 Singapore electricity fuel mix (2003–2007) (Note Author created
figure based on data from Energy Market Authority [2018b])
As of June 2018, Singapore’s total installed generation capacity was
approximately 13.5 GW (Energy Market Company 2018a). This is almost
double the 2017 peak demand and well above the required minimum
reserve margin of 30%. 1 This capacity almost entirely consists of natural
gas combined-cycle turbines. Figure 10.1 shows that the share of natural
gas in the total fuel mix for electricity generation has grown from about
36.5% in 2003 to approximately 95.3% in 2017. Waste incineration and
a coal-biomass project contribute the remaining 4.1%, and fuel oil, used
occasionally, contributes the remaining 0.6% (Energy Market Authority
2018b).
Deregulation
Singapore’s electricity sector was deregulated starting in 1995, with
generation and retail privatized in subsequent years and the transmission
& distribution remaining under government control. Today, Singapore’s
generation sector consists of seven private companies with three large
players occupying about 58% of the market share, as compared to 83%
market share in 2005 (Energy Market Authority 2018a). The transmission and distribution system is effectively owned and managed by
government-held companies, SP PowerAssets Ltd and SP PowerGrid Ltd,
respectively. 2