Singapore Power Builds $2 Billion Next-Generation Power Infrastructure

Nov. 1, 2012
Singapore Power announces a S$2 billion Transmission Cable Tunnel Project to ensure that households and businesses in Singapore continue to enjoy a reliable,

Singapore Power announces a S$2 billion Transmission Cable Tunnel Project to ensure that households and businesses in Singapore continue to enjoy a reliable, secure and quality power supply. Two cross-island cable tunnels will be constructed 60 m (197 ft) underground to provide a long-term solution to the ongoing upgrading and renewal of Singapore's power cable grid infrastructure.

The deep tunnels are designed to overcome the existing congestion of underground space and utility services in Singapore. They will facilitate faster, more efficient maintenance and replacement of cables, thereby reducing the frequency of road-digging works and minimizing inconvenience to the public.

Singapore Power will award six contracts to five construction companies for its largest undertaking to date. From the end of this year until 2018, they will build the North-South and East-West tunnels, measuring 35 km (22 miles) in length, to house extra-high-voltage electricity transmission cables.

“Singapore's power supply is among the most reliable in the world,” said Wong Kim Yin, Group CEO of Singapore Power. “With the city's rapid growth and the corresponding increase in power demand, we are challenged to sustain this level of reliability and cost-effectiveness in achieving this performance.

“The deep cable tunnels will form the backbone of Singapore's power supply, serving future generations effectively, securely and with minimum inconvenience. It will translate to improved standards of living and performance for our residential, industrial and commercial consumers,” he added.

The tunnels will be located under major public roads and will not encroach into private properties. Along with the tunnels, there will be 14 utility buildings built to house ventilation facilities and equipment, and to provide access to the tunnels. During the construction phase, Singapore Power will work closely with government agencies and community partners to minimize inconvenience to the public.

Construction is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2013. The East-West tunnel is expected to be completed in 2017, and the longer North-South tunnel is expected to be completed in 2018.

For more information, visit cabletunnel.singaporepower.com.sg.

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