Written reply to PQ on timeline of hydrogen-ready power plant adoption and resulting impact on household and business electricity tariffs

Question:

Ms He Ting Ru: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry based on the current carbon tax trajectory and the Ministry’s engagement with local power producers (a) when will it be cost-competitive for Singapore’s first hydrogen-ready power plants to begin adopting hydrogen as a fuel for electricity production; and (b) what is the anticipated impact to consumers, in particular, the projected impact on average household and business electricity tariffs.

Written Answer by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong

1.           Hydrogen is not viable as a substitute for natural gas for electricity production in the near term, due to its high costs of production and transportation.

2.           We will continue to monitor global hydrogen market developments, before making any decision to adopt hydrogen for electricity production.