Energy & Science
Singapore’s Energy Dilemma a Small-Nation Warning
- City-state may face problems securing enough carbon-free power
- Nuclear power being increasingly pursued by compact countries
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Singapore’s desire to shift to renewable sources of energy is running up against its geographic limitations. It hasn’t got enough space for large solar installations, there are no major rivers for hydro and what little breeze the tropical city-state gets isn’t sufficient to push a wind turbine.
That’s forced the Southeast Asian financial and transport hub to rely on imports in its plans to transition away from fossil fuels. It’s a common strategy for small places -- Hong Kong, Monaco and Bahrain are in a similar position -- but it’s dependent on nearby countries being willing to export carbon-free power.