In an annual survey of 100 energy industry professionals, the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) found that 40% view the coal increase as a short-term response to energy security concerns and a further 28% see it as a mid-term measure to manage the region’s transition sustainably. Only 6% read it as evidence of a shift backwards towards coal.
The survey was conducted against the backdrop of supply disruption seen throughout the first half of 2026. Some 90% of respondents report that recent geopolitical developments affected their business, with 59% describing the impact as moderate or significant, and 24% reporting significant impact. The most common effect of the supply disruption, cited by 39%, was greater interest in local or regional energy solutions, followed by delayed investment decisions (38%), signalling a shift in procurement thinking, and a demand for suppliers who can offer domestic generation.
However, greater reliance on local and regional energy solutions brings the region’s infrastructure challenge into sharper focus. Over 70% see grid infrastructure and regional connectivity as the main obstacle to overcome in the energy transition, with skills and workforce deployment at 5% and slow deployment of energy storage at 5%.
The survey also captured how quickly artificial intelligence is entering energy sector operations. Some 60% of participants state they are either running AI pilot projects or already implementing AI solutions successfully, with 6% reporting they have no current plans. When asked what stands in the way of Singapore’s AI adoption, respondents pointed to data quality and availability (58%) and cost of implementation (58%) as the main factors.
Er Edwin Khew, Chairman, Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore, commented on the findings: “The industry has discerned that the return to coal is a temporary solution during a time of heightened shortage of supply, and that the decision is about keeping the lights on with the resources that are locally available and affordably.
"What is most encouraging is that the demand has shifted towards domestic supply, with greater interest in local or regional energy solutions and increased project enquiries, which our members have also confirmed on the ground. The participants’ sentiments point to an overall picture that coal was a backup strategy against a supply shock, while the industry remains convinced that the medium to long term goals on the building up of renewable capacity is where the region is heading.
"What ASEAN needs now is greater flexibility and collaboration on renewable energy generation project development, storage and clarity on cross-border grid connectivity (APG), to support the region’s energy security and transition goals.”