Singapore, heavily dependent on imported fuels—particularly natural gas, which accounts for 95% of its electricity as reported by Energy Observer "Singapore: energy challenges of a city-state"—has adopted a proactive, multi-layered strategy to strengthen its energy security.
Recognizing that modern threats like cyberattacks cannot be fully prevented, the city-state focuses not only on prevention but also on robust response and quick recovery. This strategy is demonstrated through national simulations, community empowerment, advanced technologies, and international partnerships.
Inside Exercise SG Ready 2025
From February 15–28, 2025, Singapore conducted Exercise SG Ready, a comprehensive simulation of prolonged power outages caused by a ransomware attack.
Co-organized by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the drill tested responses to a crisis rooted in cyber threats rather than traditional supply failures. This reflects Singapore’s awareness of the increasing convergence between digital vulnerabilities and physical infrastructure.
The drill aimed to assess readiness at all levels—individuals, businesses, and communities. It built on lessons from past events, such as the 2018 blackout that affected 147,000 customers for nearly 40 minutes.
While quickly resolved, that incident revealed the wide-ranging impact of power disruptions. Exercises like SG Ready, alongside others like Exercise Northstar, continue to sharpen response mechanisms for future crises.
Total Defence in Practice: Engaging the Public
Energy resilience in Singapore is framed within its Total Defence strategy, which includes Military, Civil, Economic, Social, Digital, and Psychological Defence.
Exercise SG Ready reinforced this by promoting community preparedness through the SGReadyGoWhere portal. The site offered guides, scenario kits, and emergency preparedness resources to the public.
Civil Defence, led by the SCDF, ensures public safety and basic services during emergencies. The Digital Defence component addresses cyber awareness, directly tying into SG Ready’s cyberattack scenario.
Public education efforts extended to schools like Chua Chu Kang Secondary, where students learned about solar energy and discussed adaptation strategies during disruptions.
This holistic approach builds societal resilience by emphasizing that everyone—from households to businesses—plays a role in crisis management.
Tech as a Lifeline: Smart Grids and Future Fuels
Singapore's energy resilience strategy relies heavily on innovation. The Future Grid Capabilities Roadmap, a collaboration between EMA and SP Group, aims to modernize the grid for better integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as rooftop solar and battery systems.
Tools like AI and big data are being used for predictive grid management, analyzing everything from weather data to EV charging patterns.
Key initiatives include Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)—digital systems that combine small energy producers into one virtual source—and Demand Response (DR) programs, which incentivize electricity reduction during peak hours. DR is being expanded to households, not just businesses.
Despite limited land, Singapore maximizes solar power via rooftops and reservoirs, targeting 2 gigawatt-peak by 2030.
Regionally, it has made strides with the Lao PDR–Thailand–Malaysia–Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP), importing up to 100 MW of hydropower from Laos, with a goal of 200 MW in Phase 2.
The city-state is also researching low-carbon hydrogen and even nuclear energy as part of its Energy 2050 vision.
Policy and Partnerships: Beyond the Borders
At the policy level, Singapore’s “Energy Story” and Energy 2050 Committee guide its long-term planning, with a goal of net-zero emissions from the power sector by 2050.
Acknowledging its vulnerability due to energy imports, Singapore is focused on diversifying its sources and protecting critical infrastructure like undersea power cables.
It has secured conditional approvals for importing low-carbon electricity from countries including Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Australia, aiming to reach 6 GW of imports by 2035.
These partnerships strengthen Singapore’s energy independence and contribute to the larger vision of an ASEAN Power Grid, promoting regional stability and sustainability.
Singapore’s energy resilience is shaped by realism and readiness.
Through comprehensive exercises like SG Ready 2025, a strong Total Defence framework, advanced energy technologies, and regional energy partnerships, the nation prepares not only to withstand disruptions but to recover swiftly.
This integrated, forward-looking approach reflects Singapore’s determination to secure a sustainable and stable energy future amid growing global uncertainties.
