Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Unit Cost and Energy Intensity of Desalinated Water vs NEWater and Imported Water

Question:

Mr Jackson Lam: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) over the past five years, how the unit cost and energy intensity of desalinated water compares with NEWater and imported water; (b) how these costs are expected to evolve with a sixth desalinated water plant; and (c) how will the Government balances water security with long-term affordability.

Answer:

Desalinated water is more energy-intensive and costly than NEWater and imported water, but is necessary as a weather-resilient source and one of our Four National Taps.

As with all of its new plants, PUB will introduce the latest proven technologies in the sixth desalination plant. Some of these will reduce the cost of producing desalinated water. For instance, PUB is exploring technologies such as ultra-permeable membranes and ceramic membranes to bring down the energy intensity of desalination.

PUB will need to make the necessary investments in water infrastructure so that it can continue to meet Singapore’s growing water demand. Our water conservation efforts help to moderate the demand growth and reduce the need for additional water infrastructure and its associated costs.