Sembawang Member of Parliament Lim Wee Kiak addressed Parliament on Feb. 23, advocating for increased use of solar and nuclear power to bolster Singap
Sembawang Member of Parliament Lim Wee Kiak addressed Parliament on Feb. 23, advocating for increased use of solar and nuclear power to bolster Singapore’s energy security. Lim highlighted Singapore’s vulnerability to energy disruptions, citing the war in Ukraine as an example of how global events can lead to volatile energy prices.
To mitigate these risks, Lim suggested that Singapore accelerate the adoption of solar power and consider exploring nuclear energy as a sustainable solution. He pointed out that there are numerous residential, commercial, and industrial rooftops that could be utilized for solar panel installations and proposed providing grants to encourage solar energy adoption. Lim also recommended revising building codes to mandate solar panels for all new developments as part of the Minimum Environmental Sustainability Standard.
In addition to solar energy, Lim encouraged exploring nuclear power options. He acknowledged Singapore’s small size but emphasized the nation’s ability to overcome space constraints. He suggested building nuclear facilities offshore, on man-made rigs, or underground, referencing France’s underwater nuclear reactor, Flexblue, as a potential model.
Lim noted that nuclear energy has been under consideration in Singapore for years and was identified by the Energy 2050 committee as a potential pathway to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. While the Ministry of Trade and Industry continues to assess the feasibility and safety of nuclear power, Lim called for a clear timeline to evaluate its viability.
Lim concluded by emphasizing that diversifying energy sources is key to enhancing resilience and reducing Singapore’s dependency on natural gas, which currently supplies 95% of the country’s energy. He welcomed recent efforts to import renewable energy from neighboring countries but stressed that local energy solutions, such as solar and nuclear power, would better protect Singapore from potential supply disruptions.
COMMENTS