Importing Electricity

The local media reported that Singapore is looking to import electricity from other countries in the region.  Perhaps this is a prelude to tapping potential new nuclear power capacity that may come online in neighbouring countries, especially in view of the fact that natural gas production in both Indonesia and Malaysia are expecting to fall in the coming years.

But whatever it is, I think it is a step in the wrong direction, since it is moving us towards a greater dependence on imported energy rather than greater resilience through stimulating domestic alternative energy production.  It is disappointing that the government appears not to be willing to prepare us for a future where the holders of energy resources will gain political and economic power, and where importers like Singapore will be increasingly at their mercy unless we take active steps to mitigate the risks.