Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SINGAPORE1167
2007-06-18 03:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:
AMENDED GAS ACT: JUST HOT AIR?
how-toVZCZCXRO7740 RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHGP #1167/01 1690331 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 180331Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3394 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SINGAPORE 001167
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE PASS USTR FOR AUSTR WEISEL AND DAUSTR JENSEN
COMMERCE FOR JBAKER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET ENRG EINV ETRD EFIN ECON SN
SUBJECT: AMENDED GAS ACT: JUST HOT AIR?
REF: A) SINGAPORE 996
B) 06 SINGAPORE 1916
(U) NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SINGAPORE 001167
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE PASS USTR FOR AUSTR WEISEL AND DAUSTR JENSEN
COMMERCE FOR JBAKER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET ENRG EINV ETRD EFIN ECON SN
SUBJECT: AMENDED GAS ACT: JUST HOT AIR?
REF: A) SINGAPORE 996
B) 06 SINGAPORE 1916
(U) NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
1. (SBU) Summary: Singapore's amended Gas Act came into effect
June 11, holding out promise that U.S. company InterGen might
finally become the first non-government entrant into the heretofore
tightly controlled electricity market. However, looming contract
deadlines and legal uncertainties continue to cloud the horizon for
InterGen's local subsidiary, Island Power. The long-delayed
legislation aims to increase competition in Singapore's natural gas
sector by authorizing the Energy Market Authority (EMA) to grant new
players access to existing pipelines. The Act also allows EMA to
increase the number of gas import licenses in order to enhance the
security and reliability of the gas supply (i.e., through shipments
of liquefied natural gas). End summary.
Island Power's Struggle for Access
--------------
2. (SBU) InterGen, through Island Power, has been developing a
785MW natural gas-fired power station in Singapore since 2002.
However, its S$1 billion (US$650 million) investment has been
continually plagued by uncertainties about pipeline access.
InterGen recently completed financing arrangements and construction
contracts for this project, which include Indonesian gas provided by
ConocoPhillips, but arbitration between two Singapore
government-linked companies (GLCs) ?- PowerGas and Gas Supply ?- has
prevented third-party access to the section of pipeline that brings
this gas onshore to Singapore. (Note: Gas Supply, the sole user of
PowerGas' underutilized pipeline, initiated legal proceedings in
2004 to prevent third-party access. According to press reports, the
arbitration was recently concluded with an undisclosed settlement.
End note.)
Don't Open That Spigot Just Yet
--------------
4. (SBU) Island Power's managing director, Michael Reading, told us
that, while he was optimistic about the project's continued
viability, major hurdles still remained. He noted that the new law
would not immediately resolve the access issue; EMA would have to
exercise its legislated authority for this to happen. (Note: Press
reports indicate EMA has given only a broad timeframe -- possibly
six months or longer -- during which it will "thrash out pipeline
access issues." End note.) InterGen in the meantime is still
obligated to honor several tight contract deadlines with private
companies involved in the power plant's construction, as well as
with the Indonesian government. Reading expressed concern, as also
reported in the press, that Indonesia might terminate its gas supply
agreement with Island Power due to the continued delays. InterGen
would likely withdraw its investment if this were the case, Reading
concluded.
5. (SBU) Reading also anticipated that his GLC competitors might
challenge the new law. He relayed that in a recent meeting between
Island Power and Gas Supply, ostensibly to reach an access agreement
without EMA's intervention, Gas Supply representatives told him that
they planned to take "unspecified action" to frustrate Island
Power's efforts in Singapore. They further expressed their "hope to
disrupt [Island Power's] contracts with the Indonesian government."
6. (U) More details of the Gas (Amendment) Bill can be found in
MTI's website (http://www.mti.gov.sg) and Parliament's website
(http://www.parliament.gov.sg).
Comment
--------------
7. (SBU) Singapore's amended Gas Act represents a welcome, albeit
long-delayed, step towards a more liberalized electricity market in
Singapore. However, it remains to be seen how and whether the law
will be implemented. We will continue our advocacy efforts on
behalf of U.S. industry ?- which has included representations by the
Ambassador and discussions during the May 11 annual FTA review (ref
A) -- and closely monitor how the GOS balances the interests of GLCs
and independent competitors. The amended Act's provision for more
licensing also highlights Singapore's concerns about energy security
and strong desire to decrease its dependence on Malaysia and
Indonesia, currently the suppliers of almost all of Singapore's
energy needs (ref B). In addition to constructing a liquefied
natural gas terminal, funding research for renewable energy sources,
and encouraging energy conservation, Singapore would do well to
ensure new entrants into its electricity market enjoy the level
playing field the amended Gas Act is meant to guarantee.
SINGAPORE 00001167 002 OF 002
HERBOLD
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE PASS USTR FOR AUSTR WEISEL AND DAUSTR JENSEN
COMMERCE FOR JBAKER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET ENRG EINV ETRD EFIN ECON SN
SUBJECT: AMENDED GAS ACT: JUST HOT AIR?
REF: A) SINGAPORE 996
B) 06 SINGAPORE 1916
(U) NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
1. (SBU) Summary: Singapore's amended Gas Act came into effect
June 11, holding out promise that U.S. company InterGen might
finally become the first non-government entrant into the heretofore
tightly controlled electricity market. However, looming contract
deadlines and legal uncertainties continue to cloud the horizon for
InterGen's local subsidiary, Island Power. The long-delayed
legislation aims to increase competition in Singapore's natural gas
sector by authorizing the Energy Market Authority (EMA) to grant new
players access to existing pipelines. The Act also allows EMA to
increase the number of gas import licenses in order to enhance the
security and reliability of the gas supply (i.e., through shipments
of liquefied natural gas). End summary.
Island Power's Struggle for Access
--------------
2. (SBU) InterGen, through Island Power, has been developing a
785MW natural gas-fired power station in Singapore since 2002.
However, its S$1 billion (US$650 million) investment has been
continually plagued by uncertainties about pipeline access.
InterGen recently completed financing arrangements and construction
contracts for this project, which include Indonesian gas provided by
ConocoPhillips, but arbitration between two Singapore
government-linked companies (GLCs) ?- PowerGas and Gas Supply ?- has
prevented third-party access to the section of pipeline that brings
this gas onshore to Singapore. (Note: Gas Supply, the sole user of
PowerGas' underutilized pipeline, initiated legal proceedings in
2004 to prevent third-party access. According to press reports, the
arbitration was recently concluded with an undisclosed settlement.
End note.)
Don't Open That Spigot Just Yet
--------------
4. (SBU) Island Power's managing director, Michael Reading, told us
that, while he was optimistic about the project's continued
viability, major hurdles still remained. He noted that the new law
would not immediately resolve the access issue; EMA would have to
exercise its legislated authority for this to happen. (Note: Press
reports indicate EMA has given only a broad timeframe -- possibly
six months or longer -- during which it will "thrash out pipeline
access issues." End note.) InterGen in the meantime is still
obligated to honor several tight contract deadlines with private
companies involved in the power plant's construction, as well as
with the Indonesian government. Reading expressed concern, as also
reported in the press, that Indonesia might terminate its gas supply
agreement with Island Power due to the continued delays. InterGen
would likely withdraw its investment if this were the case, Reading
concluded.
5. (SBU) Reading also anticipated that his GLC competitors might
challenge the new law. He relayed that in a recent meeting between
Island Power and Gas Supply, ostensibly to reach an access agreement
without EMA's intervention, Gas Supply representatives told him that
they planned to take "unspecified action" to frustrate Island
Power's efforts in Singapore. They further expressed their "hope to
disrupt [Island Power's] contracts with the Indonesian government."
6. (U) More details of the Gas (Amendment) Bill can be found in
MTI's website (http://www.mti.gov.sg) and Parliament's website
(http://www.parliament.gov.sg).
Comment
--------------
7. (SBU) Singapore's amended Gas Act represents a welcome, albeit
long-delayed, step towards a more liberalized electricity market in
Singapore. However, it remains to be seen how and whether the law
will be implemented. We will continue our advocacy efforts on
behalf of U.S. industry ?- which has included representations by the
Ambassador and discussions during the May 11 annual FTA review (ref
A) -- and closely monitor how the GOS balances the interests of GLCs
and independent competitors. The amended Act's provision for more
licensing also highlights Singapore's concerns about energy security
and strong desire to decrease its dependence on Malaysia and
Indonesia, currently the suppliers of almost all of Singapore's
energy needs (ref B). In addition to constructing a liquefied
natural gas terminal, funding research for renewable energy sources,
and encouraging energy conservation, Singapore would do well to
ensure new entrants into its electricity market enjoy the level
playing field the amended Gas Act is meant to guarantee.
SINGAPORE 00001167 002 OF 002
HERBOLD