Further study needed on economic viability of using geothermal energy here: Experts

Latest finding has shown potential of using underground heat to generate electricity

- Zachary Lim

A second discovery of high temperatures underground in northern Singapore has shown the potential of using geothermal energy to generate electricity here.

But whether this energy form could eventually become part of the Republic's energy mix needs further study to determine if it is cost-effective to do so, say experts.

Currently, 95 per cent of Singapore's total energy is generated by the burning of natural gas, a fossil fuel. The country is studying alternative energy sources, such as geothermal energy, to reduce emissions from energy generation.

On July 3, researchers from Singapore said they had found temperatures of up to 122 deg C about 1.76km underground at a site in Gambas Avenue, Sembawang.

The research team from Nanyang Technological University and Tumcreate—the Technical University of Munich's multidisciplinary research platform based in Singapore—added that underground temperatures have the potential to go up to 230 deg C at depths of 5km.

Electricity can be generated with temperatures above 150 deg C.

Dr Jonathan Poh, a research fellow at the Energy Research Institute at NTU (Eri@n), who was part of the study, said the latest finding shows that this renewable energy source could be viable for Singapore.

The discovery of high underground temperatures in Sembawang comes after the team had in March 2023 found temperatures of 70 deg C located 1.12km underground in Admiralty.

To determine if technical feasibility can translate into reality, however, the economic viability of geothermal energy as a carbon-free energy source warrants greater probing, said Dr David Broadstock, a senior research fellow and energy transition research lead at the Sustainable and Green Finance Institute at NUS.