Singapore’s Jurong Island Eyes 300 Hectares for Clean Energy and Low-Carbon Projects

• Land allocation for clean energy: Nearly 300 hectares, equivalent to over 400 football fields, will host hydrogen, ammonia-powered facilities, and other low-carbon innovations.

• The island’s southwest and northwest sections, including forested areas, are targeted for these developments to drive decarbonization in the petrochemical sector.

• Sustainable progress: Output of green products has increased 1.4 times since 2019, with 35 funded projects expected to cut over 340 kilotonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

Jurong Island’s green transformation allocates 300 hectares for clean energy, boosting Singapore’s sustainability. Explore hydrogen projects and low-carbon data centers shaping the future—discover how this shift creates green jobs today.

What is Jurong Island’s sustainability shift?

Jurong Island’s sustainability shift involves repurposing nearly 300 hectares of land—roughly 10 percent of the island—for clean energy projects and green technologies, as announced by the JTC Corporation and Economic Development Board at the Singapore International Energy Week. This transformation positions the industrial hub as a global test bed for innovations like hydrogen and ammonia fuels, alongside carbon capture systems, to reduce emissions from the petrochemical sector. Minister Tan See Leng emphasized that this initiative will attract specialty chemical companies and foster career opportunities in the green economy.

How are new energy projects transforming Jurong Island?

The new energy projects on Jurong Island focus on hydrogen-ready natural gas power plants and Singapore’s first ammonia-based facility for electricity generation and ship refueling. Led by Keppel, this ammonia project aims to produce up to 65 megawatts, sufficient to power over 90,000 public housing apartments annually. These developments, located primarily in the southwest and northwest, leverage the island’s integrated ecosystem to pilot low-carbon technologies amid global challenges like oversupply in petrochemicals and stricter climate regulations. According to the JTC and EDB, this positioning enables scaling of solutions that address one-third of Singapore’s greenhouse gas emissions from refining and petrochemicals, which employ over 27,000 workers across more than 100 companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What role will data centers play in Jurong Island’s green transformation?

Jurong Island will host Singapore’s largest low-carbon data center park on 20 hectares, supporting up to 700 megawatts of capacity through shared energy storage and clean sources like ammonia. This addresses rising AI-driven demands while mandating green practices, such as energy-efficient equipment and higher operating temperatures to reduce electricity and water use, adding at least 300 megawatts overall in Singapore.

How does Singapore plan to achieve its 2030 sustainability goals on Jurong Island?

Singapore’s 2030 strategy, set for unveiling in 2026, targets expanded research in carbon emission reductions for power and industries, building on 2021 plans to make Jurong Island a sustainable hub. Progress includes a 1.4-fold rise in green product output since 2019, with examples like Arkema’s castor bean polymers and Kuraray’s recyclable packaging starting in 2026, alongside funding for 35 projects cutting 340 kilotonnes of CO2 yearly.

Key Takeaways

• Major land dedication: Nearly 300 hectares for clean energy, transforming 10 percent of Jurong Island into a hub for hydrogen, ammonia, and carbon capture innovations.
• Data center growth: 20-hectare low-carbon park with 700 MW capacity, integrating green infrastructure to meet AI demands sustainably.
• Emission reductions: 35 funded projects to slash over 340 kilotonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to removing 80,000 cars, while boosting green jobs and product output 1.5 times by 2030.

Conclusion

Jurong Island’s sustainability shift marks a pivotal step in Singapore’s green transformation, integrating clean energy projects like hydrogen facilities and low-carbon data centers to combat petrochemical emissions. With authoritative input from the JTC Corporation, Economic Development Board, and Minister Tan See Leng, alongside expert-backed initiatives from companies like ExxonMobil and Evonik, the island is poised to lead in decarbonization. As these efforts progress toward 2030 targets, they promise a thriving green economy—explore opportunities in sustainable technologies to stay ahead in this evolving landscape.

Singapore’s industrial powerhouse Jurong Island is making a major shift toward sustainability, dedicating nearly 300 hectares of land – roughly 10 percent of the entire island – to clean energy projects and green technologies, as part of a broader strategy to reduce emissions and foster innovation.

The massive transformation was announced by the JTC Corporation and Economic Development Board during the Singapore International Energy Week conference. The allocated space, equivalent to more than 400 football fields, will house new energy solutions, including hydrogen and ammonia-powered facilities, creating a global test bed for low-carbon advancements.

Additionally, the island will become home to Singapore’s biggest low-carbon data center park, with 20 hectares set aside specifically for this purpose. This area, about the size of 25 football fields, can support up to 700 megawatts of power capacity for computing facilities, leveraging existing infrastructure like shared energy storage.

Minister Tan See Leng, who oversees energy and science policy, highlighted the growing interest from specialty chemical companies in expanding operations on the island due to regional demand for high-quality, sustainable products. “Jurong Island will be a global test bed for new energies and low-carbon technologies,” Dr. Tan stated, noting the inclusion of carbon-free fuels like ammonia and hydrogen, plus effective carbon capture systems.

The government’s upcoming 2030 research and innovation strategy, to be revealed in 2026, will accelerate efforts to cut carbon emissions in the power sector and heavy industries, ensuring long-term viability for the island’s ecosystem.

“All these efforts ensure that Jurong Island continues to be home to great firms and creates meaningful career opportunities in the growing green economy,” the minister added, underscoring the initiative’s dual focus on environmental and economic benefits.

New energy projects take center stage

Key among the initiatives is a hydrogen-ready natural gas power plant and Singapore’s pioneering facility for importing and using ammonia in electricity production and maritime refueling. Officials recently noted that Keppel is spearheading a consortium to develop this, generating up to 65 megawatts—enough to supply over 90,000 four-room public housing units for a full year.

These zones for data centers and energy projects are concentrated in the island’s southwest and northwest, preserving some forested areas while integrating seamlessly with current operations.

This shift arrives amid pressing needs: The refining and petrochemicals sector on Jurong Island accounts for about one-third of Singapore’s total greenhouse gas emissions and supports over 27,000 jobs in more than 100 firms.

Globally, the petrochemical market grapples with oversupply issues and tightening environmental regulations, which, combined with consumer shifts toward eco-friendly products, are accelerating the push for decarbonization in places like Jurong Island.

“With its integrated ecosystem and strong industry base, Jurong Island is well positioned to be a premier test bed for developing, piloting and scaling new energies and low-carbon technologies,” stated the JTC and EDB in their announcement.

Data center expansion drives green infrastructure

The data center park will benefit from Jurong Island’s robust utilities, including shared storage systems and access to emerging clean energy options. Singapore already hosts over 70 data centers, with plans in 2024 to expand capacity by more than one-third to accommodate surging AI-related computing needs.

However, sustainability is paramount: New operators must implement green measures, as data centers are major consumers of electricity and water. Strategies include deploying energy-efficient hardware, low-carbon fuels such as ammonia, and optimizing temperatures to 26 degrees Celsius to lower cooling demands.

Upcoming additions include at least 300 megawatts of data center capacity nationwide, with incentives for those prioritizing renewables. This aligns with Jurong Island’s 25-year milestone next year, following the 2021 launch of a master plan to evolve it into a sustainable energy and chemicals center.

Targets for 2030 encompass ramping up sustainable goods, enhancing efficiency in refineries and crackers, and deploying carbon capture tech. JTC and EDB updates show sustainable product volumes up 1.4 times from 2019 baselines, on pace for a 1.5-fold gain by decade’s end.

Notable advancements feature Arkema’s castor bean-derived polymers and Kuraray’s recyclable packaging, with the latter entering production in 2026. Since 2021, the Resource Efficiency Grant for Emissions has supported 35 projects from firms like Evonik, ExxonMobil, Linde, and Air Liquide, focusing on efficiency and decarbonization.

Upon completion, these efforts are projected to eliminate more than 340 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide each year—comparable to taking 80,000 vehicles off the roads—demonstrating tangible progress in Singapore’s commitment to a greener industrial future.