Tuas 'clean' coal plant balances cost and green concerns

Plant balances cost and green concerns
Straits Times 15 Oct 08;

WE REFER to the letter by Mr Eugene Tay, 'One step forward and two steps backward in our green efforts' (Oct 4).

There are a range of technologies being used and developed around the world to reduce the environmental impact of coal. Tuas Power is employing some of these technologies in its Multi-Utilities Complex (MUC). The MUC will use only low-sulphur and low-ash coal, which will substantially reduce the emissions of sulphur dioxide and the amount of waste generated. It will store the coal in coal silos, transport the coal using covered barges and conveyors and implement a waste-management plan which includes recycling ash into value-added products, such as materials for construction. In addition, by using efficient energy processes and biomass, the MUC will reduce its carbon emissions to a level that is equivalent to or better than the existing oil-fired plants in Singapore.

In approving the project, the Government has taken into consideration these measures by Tuas Power to ensure environmental sustainability. In particular, the National Environment Agency has assessed that the Tuas MUC meets existing environmental standards in terms of the emissions of air pollutants like sulphur dioxides, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and mercury.

The Tuas MUC project offers a good balance between the need to ensure Singapore's cost competitiveness and maintain our environmental sustainability. The use of a biomass-coal mix and the attendant economies of scale from the MUC model enables Tuas Power to provide competitively priced utilities for our chemicals sector, which contributes significantly to growth and jobs in Singapore.

We assure Mr Tay that Singapore remains committed to do its part in global efforts to tackle climate change, and to improve the quality of our living environment.

Tan Quee Hong
Director, Pollution Control Department
National Environment Agency

Jenny Teo (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Energy Market Authority

Clean coal: Assurance by Tuas Power
Straits Times Forum 15 Oct 08;

WE THANK Mr Eugene Tay for his letter, 'One step forward and two steps backward in our green efforts', (Oct 4).

Tuas Power has been taking proactive steps to promote energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in Singapore. Examples of such initiatives include our tri-generation and co-generation efforts, and the Tuas Power Green Programme, which encourages existing and new buildings in Singapore to optimise their energy efficiency.

This focus on energy efficiency has also guided us in the building of our new multi-utilities complex on Tembusu, which will consist of a Biomass Clean Coal (BMCC) co-generation plant and a desalination plant.

Modelled after similar plants in Japan and Europe, our BMCC plant will use low-ash, low-sulphur coal and biomass as fuel. This is part of our effort to keep the levels of sulphur dioxide, mercury and particulate matter emitted below the strict emission standards set by the National Environment Agency.

We would like to reassure Mr Tay that Tuas Power will continue to support Singapore's drive towards environmental sustainability, while helping Singapore remain an attractive business destination and a good home.

Tan Tee Huat
Vice-President
Human Capital Management/
Corporate Communications
Tuas Power

From AsiaIsGreen

I refer to the article, “Tuas Power to build $2b ‘clean’ plant” by Clarissa Oon (ST Sep 26).

Clean coal is an oxymoron as coal is associated with multiple environmental problems such as habitat destruction, acid rain and global warming. Burning coal produces higher levels of carbon dioxide, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particulates and mercury.

With these environmental impacts in mind, Tuas Power and the National Environment Agency need to reassure the public and concerned environmentalists on the use of coal in the new plant.

Would the new plant meet the relevant air emissions and environmental regulations? Are carbon emissions per kilowatt hour higher for the new plant as compared to a natural gas-fired plant? Would the use of coal in the new plant lead to greater use of coal by other power generation companies?

This switch to using coal by Tuas Power seems to contradict the government’s efforts and plans on sustainable development. The new plant should not increase Singapore’s environmental impacts, especially our carbon emissions. If not, it would seem that we are moving one step forward and two steps backward on our green efforts.