Sembcorp Hydrogen Pipeline to Bridge Indonesia and Singapore
Sembcorp is taking significant strides in hydrogen development by planning a hydrogen pipeline to connect Indonesia and Singapore.
The company has signed a Joint Development Framework Agreement (JDFA) with Indonesian gas transporters PT PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (PT PLN EPI) and PT Transportasi Gas Indonesia (PT TGU). This initiative is set to strengthen hydrogen collaboration between the two nations and bolster Southeast Asia’s hydrogen economy.
Key Highlights of the Agreement
The JDFA focuses on exploring the establishment of a hydrogen pipeline linking Sumatra in Indonesia’s Riau Islands to Singapore.
This development aligns with the broader hydrogen ambitions of both countries, enabling Singapore to address its renewable energy constraints by importing low-carbon hydrogen.
Green Hydrogen Plant in Sumatra
Before this agreement, Sembcorp and PT PLN EPI partnered to develop Southeast Asia’s largest green hydrogen plant in Sumatra.
The facility, expected to produce 100,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually, will harness local renewable energy for electrolysis.
The produced hydrogen will be exported to Singapore through a subsea pipeline, making the project a cornerstone of regional hydrogen development.
Driving Regional Hydrogen Development
Sembcorp has described these initiatives as pivotal for Southeast Asia, marking some of the region’s most significant hydrogen advancements.
The pipeline and green hydrogen plant together position Indonesia and Singapore as leaders in the transition to clean energy, fostering regional collaboration and innovation.
Singapore’s Growing Hydrogen Demand
Singapore has ambitious plans for hydrogen to meet half of its power needs by 2050. However, the nation faces challenges in producing hydrogen domestically due to limited space and renewable energy sources. This makes imports essential to achieving its low-carbon goals. Sembcorp’s pipeline project is expected to play a vital role in meeting these needs.
Regional Collaborations in Hydrogen
Sembcorp’s efforts are part of a broader trend of regional hydrogen collaboration. In October, Petronas-owned Gentari signed an MoU with Senoko Gas to import Malaysian-produced hydrogen for use in Singapore’s gas power plants.
Additionally, Gentari and Sembcorp signed an MoU last July to explore hydrogen initiatives across Southeast Asia, indicating a growing interest in fostering cross-border partnerships in clean energy.
Sembcorp’s hydrogen pipeline and green hydrogen plant in Sumatra represent a bold step forward for Southeast Asia’s hydrogen economy.
By enabling cross-border collaboration and addressing Singapore’s energy needs, these initiatives underscore the potential of hydrogen as a key driver of the region’s transition to a sustainable energy future.
