Singapore, Malaysia to collaborate on CCS, RECs

Market: Electricity, Emissions
08/01/25

Singapore and Malaysia have signed agreements to collaborate on carbon capture and storage (CCS) as well as renewable energy certificates (RECs).

The countries will engage in bilateral discussions to enable cross-border CCS, and discuss the components of a legally binding government-to-government agreement, said Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on 7 January. A joint committee comprising members from both sides will be established to facilitate this. The countries will also share best practices and information, and facilitate relevant research projects.

The region has strong geological potential for CO2 storage, said the MTI. "Many countries are interested to pursue CCS to support their own decarbonisation plans and position themselves as CCS hubs for Asia-Pacific," it added.

Malaysia has a geological abundance of deep saline aquifer reservoirs, which could be used to develop large-scale, permanent CO2 storage solutions.

RECs

Singapore and Malaysia will also study the formation of a credible framework that recognises RECs associated with cross-border electricity trade. The development of the framework will catalyse demand for cross-border electricity trading projects, which will lead to higher investment that can support the long-term viability of regional renewable energy projects, said the MTI.

Singapore's licensed electricity importer Sembcorp Power signed a supply agreement with Malaysia's state-owned utility Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) last month to import 50MW of renewable energy issued with RECs, with the renewable energy to be imported via existing infrastructure. Flows into Singapore began on 13 December.

The agreement is part of Malaysia's inaugural "green electricity" sales through its Energy Exchange Malaysia (Enegem) platform, which allows for cross-border green electricity sales to neighbouring countries. Almost 28,000 MWh of electricity has been traded under the Energem platform as of 7 January, according to MTI.

State-owned electricity firm Singapore Power and TNB are also undertaking a joint feasibility study to expand interconnector capacity and infrastructure between Singapore and Malaysia, said the MTI.

Cross-border power initiatives in the region have been growing, such as the recent increase in capacity of the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) to up to 200MW under its second phase. Inaugural flows from Malaysia to Singapore began in September 2024, and almost 8,000 MWh of electricity has been traded under this phase as of 7 January, according to MTI.

By Prethika Nair

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