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Our Energy Story

Overview

Discover how the Singapore Energy Story sets the vision towards a net-zero energy future.

Energy Supply

Gain insights into the four switches that power Singapore’s economy and our daily lives.

Energy Demand

Discover ways to enhance energy efficiency and lower your carbon footprint.

Energy Grid

Explore how EMA ensures a reliable and secure energy supply for everyone.

Energy Market Landscape

Learn about the intricacies of Singapore’s energy market structure and operations.

Consumer Information

Electricity

Get tips on buying electricity and protecting your family from electrical hazards.

Gas

Learn about purchasing gas and safeguarding your family against gas hazards.

Solar

Access information on installing solar panels at your home and selling excess electricity to the national grid.

Regulations & Licences

Regulations

Stay up-to-date with the latest regulations, policies and frameworks governing the energy sector.

Licences

Learn about the licences that EMA issues to different stakeholders in the energy sector.

Regulatory Publications

Read about the Codes of Practice and Circulars that EMA publishes to regulate the energy sector.

Partnerships

Calls for Proposal

Collaborate with EMA in co-creating innovative solutions for the energy sector.

Consultations

Give your comments and feedback on EMA’s policies and regulations.

R&D Engagements

Discover how EMA works with stakeholders to catalyse new and innovative digital technologies.

Talent Development

Learn about EMA’s efforts in nurturing talent and cultivate interest in the energy sector.

Welcome to EMA's website. We would love to have your valuable feedback.

Our Role as a Power System Operator

As the Power System Operator (PSO), EMA is responsible for the reliable supply of electricity to consumers and stable operation of the power system in Singapore, as well as responding to emergencies.

Overview

The Power System Control Centre (PSCC) serves as the nerve centre, where system operators manage the electricity generation and transmission systems as well as oversee the operation of the natural gas transmission system given the close interlink between natural gas and power systems, ensuring 24/7 system security.

To ensure future electricity generation and transmission network capacities remain adequate and reliable, PSO conducts power and gas system studies to evaluate the impact of new generating plants and transmission licensees’ electricity and gas transmission network expansion plans.

PSO also manages the state-of-the-art mission-critical Energy Management Systems (EMS) which enables the system operator to perform its function for the real-time operation of the power and natural gas systems. In addition, PSO operates the Sectorial Detection and Early Warning System (SDEWS) to safeguard the power sector infrastructure from cyber threats. 

Essential Systems

The Energy Management System (EMS) is a state-of-the-art mission-critical computer system that provides system operators with remote monitoring and control capabilities over Singapore’s electricity generating plants and transmission network as well as monitoring capabilities of the natural gas transmission system. This system provides real-time data, allowing system operators to make informed decisions swiftly and efficiently to secure the operation of the power system. Key features include:

  • Real-time Monitoring and Control of Electricity System Monitor real-time measurements, alarms, as well as the status of generating plants, transmission substation equipment and transmission cables. The system will promptly detect any abnormal conditions or equipment malfunctions and swiftly transmit information back to the PSCC for the PSO to analyse and take appropriate action to secure the operation of the electricity system in Singapore.
  • Monitoring of Natural Gas Transmission SystemThe EMS allows PSO to have oversight of the natural gas transmission system and also enables PSO to coordinate responses with licensees during gas system emergencies. The EMS interfaces with licensees’ Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems (SCADA) to gather real-time information of the gas facilities including the LNG Terminal and natural gas transmission network such as critical valve status, gas pressure and flow measurements. As electricity and gas system are closely interlinked, the real-time information of gas system helps PSO to pre-empt and respond to emergency situations in order to ensure a stable electricity supply.
  • Forecasting of Electricity Demand A forecast of the half-hourly average system demand for the next 14 days is developed. This forecast serves as one of the crucial inputs for the Energy Market Company in generating projected Market Outlook dispatch schedules and the projected energy/reserve prices.
  • Monitoring and Adjustment of Electricity GenerationThe Automatic Generation Control (AGC) monitors the electricity demand and automatically adjusts the generators' output every few seconds to match the dynamic changes in electricity demand. This automated process ensures a continuous balance between electricity supply and consumption. It also allows the system operators to manually fine-tune the output of individual generators when unexpected changes occur.
  • Dispatcher Training SimulatorThe Dispatcher Training Simulator (DTS) serves as a training tool for simulating a crisis scenario to train our system operators to manage power system emergencies. This simulator allows trainers to create and simulate scenarios to emulate a realistic crisis environment where system operators can practise their responses to different emergency situations. 

The Distributed Data Acquisition System monitors near real-time availability and performance of Interruptible Load facilities and Distributed Generation facilities that participate in the National Electricity Market of Singapore (NEMS). The system also checks for compliance with dispatch instructions, such as the ability to curtail load within a stipulated time frame. In addition, the system also monitors irradiance and solar photovoltaic (PV) output from large solar PV facilities.

PSO also manages the Cyber Security Operation Centre (CSOC) for the Power Sector’s Critical Information Infrastructures (CIIs) to guard against cyber threats.

The Sectorial Detection and Early Warning System (SDEWS) provides monitoring capabilities to manage the security posture of the CIIs through collection and analyses of data logs to identify early indicators of possible cybersecurity incidents. This early warning helps relevant stakeholders take appropriate preventive or responsive actions to mitigate or address emerging challenges effectively.

Besides playing a crucial role in enhancing overall cybersecurity, resilience, and preparedness within the power sector, the SDEWS also helps to manage potential risks and minimise the impact of unforeseen cybersecurity incidents.

System Planning

To ensure a secure and reliable power system, system planning is critical. PSO takes measures to ensure that the current and future electricity and natural gas systems are adequate.

PSO ensures the long-term electricity and natural gas transmission system development plans by the Transmission Licensee and Gas Transporter meet the planning criteria required by the Transmission Code and Gas Supply Code respectively.

PSO also reviews the design of generating plants that plan to connect to the power system. It assesses the plants' impact on the stability and security of the power system. This includes reviewing test plans and witnessing site tests to ensure the generating plants' compliance with requirements stipulated in the Transmission Code.

Factors that PSO takes into account in its assessment include:

  • Intermittency Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are considered Intermittent Distributed Generators. These pose a major challenge when assessing their impact on the power system operation. As more of these generators are expected to be installed in the near future, this will provide a better gauge of how intermittency can be better managed and mitigated.
  • Co-generation The need for electricity, steam and cooling from industries such as petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals drive the requirements for combined-heat power plants. The capacity of these plants varies from 1 MW to 110 MW. They are connected to the power system at both the electricity transmission and distribution network and are typically operating at a constant power output level.

Natural gas currently accounts for about 95% of electricity generated in Singapore. A reliable gas supply is thus critical in “keeping the lights on”. PSO conducts studies on the inter-dependency of the electricity and gas systems to assess the impact of gas and electricity supply disruption and possible mitigation measures.

The Interruptible Load (IL) scheme for the National Electricity Market of Singapore was introduced on 1 January 2004. It is an important development in the liberalisation of Singapore's electricity industry. 

This scheme enables consumers to voluntarily choose to have their electricity supply interrupted in exchange for reserve payment.

Depending on the types of reserves that consumers participate in, the ILs should either be disconnected automatically once the system frequency reaches a pre-set threshold setting or manually disconnected by the IL provider when instructed. To ensure that the inadvertent non-performance of ILs does not compromise power system security, PSO estimates the safe quantum of ILs (reviewed annually) that can be scheduled as reserve.

A Spinning Reserve (SR) is necessary to prevent an outage in the event any single online generating unit fails. It is defined as the amount to cover the loss of a single largest online generating unit in the power system.

The power system must match aggregate generation and load instantaneously and continuously. The Regulation Reserve (RR) is employed to achieve this generation/load balance to maintain the system frequency close to 50Hz. A deviation of ±0.2Hz is allowed. The RR requirement can vary from one dispatch period to another. This is reviewed annually based on historical records of actual RR used. Read more about RRM.

System Operation

PSO is responsible for the real-time operation of the power system, and comprises teams of system operators working around the clock. Working on eight-hour shifts daily, each team is led by an experienced Control Manager. They are tasked to:

  • Control the generating operators’ output and regulate system frequency.
  • Regulate system voltages and direct power flows through the Transmission System.
  • Liaise with the market operator and market participants on dispatch schedules & compliance to dispatch instructions.
  • Supervise the operation of the natural gas transmission system as there is high interdependency between this and the power system.

When there is a power system disturbance, officers on duty will activate contingency plan to stabilise it, before returning the power system to a normal operating state. If there is an electricity supply disruption, crisis management plans will be activated to restore supply.

The System Operation Manual and the Singapore Electricity Emergency Plan list the standards, policies and standing operating procedures that all relevant licensees have to comply with.

System Operation Manual:

  • Provides system operation procedures which PSO, market participants and other relevant operating facilities must comply with. It describes how the power system should be operated to deliver the desired level of reliability and security. It consolidates the operational procedures and associated forms, standards, and policies.
  • Where there is a discrepancy between the requirements in the manual and Market Rules, the Market Rules prevail. Standards and policies appended to or referenced in these procedures provide a supporting framework. The requirements described in the various sections of the manual are supplementary and they do not authorise any departure from the Transmission Code, Market Rules, and Electricity Act.

Emergency Management:

  • PSO develops and maintains the necessary system operating procedures to manage a power system crisis. It is also required to develop and maintain the Singapore Electricity Emergency Plan and the Singapore Power System Restoration Plan.
  • These plans detail the planning, testing, required information, emergency procedures such as load reduction, load restoration and communication protocols. These are necessary to implement effective emergency responses and restore the power system.
  • The plans also provide guidance on the emergency setup organised and various actions to be implemented and co-ordinated by PSO with the relevant licensees.