Singapore’s estimated geothermal resource potential more than 60 times annual electricity consumption: EMA

A non-invasive geophysical survey found high-temperature geothermal resources several kilometres underground that may be suitable for electricity generation.

Visitors having a foot bath at the new Sembawang Hot Spring Park on Jan 4, 2020. (Photo: CNA/Jeremy Long)

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SINGAPORE: Singapore's geothermal resource potential is estimated to be more than 60 times its annual electricity consumption, according to preliminary findings from a survey, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) said on Monday (Oct 26).

The non-invasive geophysical survey, conducted from 2024 to 2026, found high-temperature geothermal resources several kilometres underground that may be suitable for electricity generation. Singapore's current annual electricity consumption is around 60 terawatt-hours.

Further studies will be needed to validate the estimates of Singapore's geothermal technical potential and determine how much geothermal energy can be feasibly extracted.

Speaking at the Singapore International Energy Week 2026 on Monday, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng described the findings as "a very good start", adding that if realised, geothermal energy could power Singapore for the next 60 or so years.

The nationwide survey was conducted by a consortium of leading global consultants, including Chevron, Metatek Group, and Surbana Jurong.

It used two non-invasive techniques to develop three-dimensional geological and heat resource models of Singapore.

Metatek Group undertook the data acquisition and processing, while Chevron used the processed data to develop a 3D geological and heat resource model of Singapore.

The survey assessed geothermal resources at depths of up to 10km for the purpose of power generation.

The consortium also assessed that there are lower-temperature geothermal resources at shallower depths, which could potentially support industrial heating and cooling using heat pumps and absorption chillers.

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Following the preliminary findings, EMA said it would proceed with the next phase of studies to further assess the feasibility of harnessing geothermal energy for electricity generation, cooling and heating.

It has appointed a consortium formed by Surbana Jurong and GLJ Ltd to study the potential deployment of next-generation geothermal plants in Singapore.

The study will cover safety considerations, technical viability and the cost of geothermal energy production. It is scheduled to start by the end of this year and is estimated to take around 15 months.

Dr Tan noted that the process would not be straightforward, referring to how geothermal resources are located several kilometres underground.

The amount of electricity that can eventually be generated will depend on the cost and technical feasibility of extracting these resources, as well as the pace of advances in deep drilling technology, Dr Tan said.

"Our dense urban environment will also affect how many geothermal power plants we can eventually or feasibly deploy, and most importantly, we must keep safety as a top-of-mind consideration," he added.

EMA chief executive Puah Kok Keong said geothermal energy was an "indigenous source of clean energy that can provide constant power, and can potentially play an important role in our energy mix".

"If proven to be viable for electricity generation, Singapore’s geothermal energy resources will strengthen our energy resilience and support the decarbonisation of the power sector,” he added.

Dr Tan said that Singapore has not made a decision on whether to deploy geothermal power.

"It could take many years before we get to that decision. But nevertheless, as I've said many times before, no option is off the table for us here in Singapore. We will therefore explore this option seriously," he added.

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一项非侵入性地球物理勘测发现，地下数公里处存在高温地热资源，可能适合用于发电。

2020年1月4日，游客在新建的三巴旺温泉公园泡脚。（图片：CNA/Jeremy Long）

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新加坡：能源市场管理局（EMA）周一（10月26日）表示，根据一项调查的初步结果，新加坡的地热资源潜力估计是其年用电量的60多倍。

这项于2024年至2026年进行的非侵入式地球物理勘测发现，地下数公里处存在高温地热资源，可能适合用于发电。新加坡目前的年用电量约为60太瓦时。

还需要进行进一步的研究来验证新加坡地热技术潜力的估算，并确定可以切实提取多少地热能。

周一，在新加坡国际能源周 2026 上，能源、贸易和工业部长（能源和工业）陈思龙称这些发现是“一个非常好的开端”，并补充说，如果得以实现，地热能可以为新加坡未来 60 年左右提供能源。

这项全国性调查由包括雪佛龙、Metatek集团和盛邦裕廊在内的全球领先咨询公司组成的联合体进行。

它采用两种非侵入性技术，建立了新加坡的三维地质和热资源模型。

Metatek 集团负责数据采集和处理，而雪佛龙公司利用处理后的数据开发了新加坡的 3D 地质和热力资源模型。

该调查评估了深度达 10 公里的地热资源，以用于发电。

该财团还评估认为，在较浅的深度存在温度较低的地热资源，这些资源有可能利用热泵和吸收式制冷机为工业供暖和制冷提供支持。

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根据初步调查结果，EMA表示将继续进行下一阶段的研究，以进一步评估利用地热能发电、制冷和供暖的可行性。

新加坡政府已委任盛邦裕廊集团和GLJ有限公司组成的联合体，研究在新加坡部署下一代地热发电厂的可能性。

该研究将涵盖地热能生产的安全考量、技术可行性和成本。研究计划于今年年底启动，预计耗时约15个月。

谭博士指出，这个过程不会一帆风顺，因为地热资源位于地下数公里深处。

谭博士表示，最终能够产生的电量将取决于开采这些资源的成本和技术可行性，以及深钻技术的进步速度。

“我们密集的城市环境也会影响我们最终能够或切实可行地部署多少座地热发电厂，最重要的是，我们必须始终把安全放在首位，”他补充道。

EMA首席执行官蒲国强表示，地热能是“一种本土的清洁能源，可以提供持续的电力，并有可能在我们的能源结构中发挥重要作用”。

他补充说：“如果证实新加坡的地热能源资源可用于发电，将增强我们的能源韧性，并支持电力行业的脱碳。”

陈博士表示，新加坡尚未决定是否部署地热发电。

“我们可能需要很多年才能做出决定。但是，正如我之前多次说过的那样，在新加坡，我们对任何选项都持开放态度。因此，我们将认真考虑这个选项，”他补充道。

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