SINGAPORE is set to tap solar-generated electricity from Malaysia after the Energy Market Authority (EMA) granted conditional approval for two companies to import a combined 900MW of power from Johor.
The projects will supply electricity generated through solar power and battery energy storage systems, with the batteries also used to store electricity produced from renewable sources, EMA said on Friday.
The Straits Times reported on Friday that the latest approvals bring the number of electricity import projects granted approvals and licences by Singapore to 13, with a combined capacity of 9.25 gigawatts (GW).
The projects involve renewable energy sources including solar, wind and hydropower from Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Australia.
Singapore aims to import about 6GW of electricity by 2035, which is expected to account for around one-third of its electricity needs.
Conditional approval was granted to Sembcorp Utilities for a proposed capacity of 300MW, while Southern Solar Alliance, a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysian renewable energy developer Ditrolic Energy Holdings, received approval for a proposed 600MW capacity.
Both companies are targeting commercial operations from around 2029.
Before the projects can begin operations, the companies must secure approvals from relevant authorities, conclude power purchase agreements with buyers, obtain sufficient financing and complete key project development milestones.
Under Singapore’s electricity import framework, companies must undergo three stages before receiving an import licence.
The first stage involves obtaining conditional approval from EMA, which confirms that a proposed project is considered technically and commercially viable. Companies will then proceed with further feasibility studies and assessments.
If the projects demonstrate their ability to meet requirements in both Singapore and the host country, EMA may issue a conditional licence before granting a final electricity importer licence once all requirements are fulfilled.
EMA said the latest approvals reflected the continued progress of energy cooperation between Singapore and Malaysia.
In October 2025, Singapore granted conditional approval to import 1GW of low-carbon electricity, mainly hydropower, from Sarawak.
Singapore Energy Interconnections, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and SP Group have also signed a Joint Development Agreement to conduct a feasibility study for a second electricity interconnection of up to 2GW between Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia.
The existing interconnection between the two countries allows up to 1GW of two-way electricity flows.
EMA said low-carbon electricity imports formed a key component of Singapore’s strategy to decarbonise its power sector, which contributes about 40 per cent of the country’s total emissions.
The authority added that it would continue engaging companies with credible and commercially viable proposals to support the transition towards cleaner energy. - August 7, 2026
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