Environmental Impact Assessment for Geothermal Energy in Sembawang Hot Spring and Other Sites

Prof Koh Lian Pin asked the Minister for Trade and Industry whether environmental impact assessments are being considered for the study on geothermal energy in the Sembawang hot spring and other potential sites in Singapore.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: The Energy Market Authority (EMA) is currently working with researchers from the Nanyang Technological University to carry out exploratory studies on Singapore’s geothermal potential. The research team plans to drill two boreholes, which are similar to the boreholes drilled for soil investigation works for construction activities, and conduct subsurface surveys 1 so as to estimate the geothermal resource potential.

The research team is in the process of seeking the necessary approvals. As part of the process, the research team will undergo an in-depth consultation with technical agencies to determine if environmental studies or mitigating measures are needed.

If the exploratory studies yield promising results, EMA may conduct further studies to determine the viability of deploying geothermal systems in Singapore. Such studies will likewise undergo in-depth consultations with the relevant technical agencies, as required. If found to be feasible, geothermal energy could serve as an additional source of indigenous clean energy, besides solar, and support Singapore in meeting our climate change goals.

Note(s) to Question No(s) 125:

1 The research team will conduct subsurface surveys and computer modelling studies to obtain information about subsurface structures and estimate the geothermal resource potential. Sensors, such as seismometers and gravimeters, will be deployed for these subsurface surveys. Seismic and gravimetric surveys are geophysical techniques used for subsurface characterisation, for example, distribution of major rock units and their tectonics, and information about the Earth’s crust.