Singapore Power announced a S$2 billion Transmission Cable Tunnel Project to ensure that households and businesses in Singapore continue to enjoy reliable, secure and quality power supply to meet future demand. Two cross-island cable tunnels will be constructed 60 m underground to provide a long-term solution to the on-going upgrading and renewal of the power cable grid infrastructure in Singapore.
The deep tunnels are designed to overcome the existing congestion of underground space and utility services in Singapore. They will facilitate faster and more efficient maintenance and replacement of cables, thereby reducing the frequency of road-digging works and thus minimizing inconvenience to the public in the long run.
Singapore Power will award six contracts to five construction companies for its largest undertaking to date. From end of this year till 2018, they will build the North-South and East-West tunnels, measuring a total of 35 km in length, to house extra-high voltage electricity transmission cables. The companies are:
- Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co Ltd
- Nishimatsu Construction Co Ltd & KTC Civil Engineering and Construction Pte Ltd Joint Venture
- Obayashi Corporation
- Samsung C & T Corporation, and
- SK Engineering & Construction Co Ltd.
Wong Kim Yin, Group Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Power said, “Singapore’s power supply is among the most reliable in the world. 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,” Wong added.
The tunnels will be located under major public roads and will not encroach into any private properties. Along with the tunnels, there will be 14 utility buildings built to house ventilation facilities and equipment, and 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. These include steps to control noise, minimize dust, dirt and congestion, and to maintain environmental safety.
Members of the public can find out more about the project from its website http://cabletunnel.singaporepower.com.sg from 1 October 2012.
