Sembcorp, SG Gov’t Cut Ribbons for Largest Energy Backup in SE Asia

Built on two hectares in Jurong Island’s jurisdiction, Sembcorp has opened the largest energy storage system in Southeast Asia. The energy company, along with Energy Market Authority (EMA), formally initiated the operations of the Sembcorp Energy Storage System (ESS) as part of Singapore’s initiative to transition to renewable energy.

The Sembcorp ESS’ capacity is touted at 285 megawatts per hour (mWh), which is enough to provide power to four-room HDB households for one day. It is also equipped for a rapid response, and Sembcorp has stated that it can provide such a supply within “milliseconds” in times when Singapore’s tropical climate brings storms that can disrupt the traditional power grid.

The 800-strong array of large-scale battery units uses lithium iron phosphate technology, which is responsible for the system’s quick turnaround during power interruptions.

Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng stated his hopes for the system providing power even when the sun is not out. “So, with the energy storage systems, we can store excess power that is generated during the peak production periods for use at other times,” he was quoted as saying in a report by The Strait Times.

When asked whether the city-state will see further construction of energy storage systems, EMA’s director of industry development Jeanette Lim said the agency will continue to monitor so they can determine the need for more battery arrays to support wider solar power integration in Singapore as well as enhancing its grid resilience against outages.