Switch to Integrated Renewable Energy

You will find below a Straits Times Forum letter, "Steer S'pore away from reliance on fossil fuel". The Energy Market Authority responded through the same forum 8 days later on 29th Oct.

In EMA's reply, titled "Solar energy will cost much more", it was assured that Singapore's electricity infrastructure can carry electricity generated from both renewable and conventional (fossil fuel based power station) sources. Then, it was stated that renewable energy would cost on average twice more than conventional. EMA ended its letter with a cold reminder, "Solar energy can be viable only if consumers are prepared to pay the higher price" and easily tossed the ball back into the environmentalists' court.

Apparently, pragmatically and realistically, the switch to renewable energy is still dictated by conventional economics. Only when the world comes close to finishing its last drop of crude oil and oil prices soar then will we begin to appreciate solar, wind and other renewable energy resources. Because carbon dioxide emitted from fossil fuel combustion and its impact on Earth's biosphere is not creating unease and discomfort in Singaporeans (yet), there exist neither concerted social push nor economic sense to use renewable energy. The graciousness to take precautionary corrective action is sorely absent. I can only hope that by the time we finally come to realise the severe consequences of our folly and start to embrace renewable energy, the world's climate has not already spun out of control and disabled beyond repair.

Forum letter, The Straits Times, published 21st Oct 2002