NDR 2026: Semakau, Bukom and Pulau Sudong may be merged into new island for industrial, power needs

SINGAPORE: Several islands west of Singapore, including Semakau, Bukom and Pulau Sudong, will be merged into a larger island to support a new generation of industries, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Sunday (Aug 23).

The new island, located south of Jurong Island, could also accommodate power generation infrastructure to meet Singapore’s future needs, Mr Wong said at the 2026 National Day Rally.

“These are long-term plans. We are studying them carefully,” he added.

Mr Wong said the plan echoed the creation of Jurong Island, where several offshore islands were progressively joined through land reclamation to make way for Singapore’s petrochemical industry.

"Today, Jurong Island is a global energy and chemicals hub," Mr Wong said, adding that the investment had delivered "lasting benefits" to Singapore.

"It created many good jobs. It anchored important industries here. It made Singapore a critical node in global energy flows.

"All that has strengthened our energy security and resilience – something we have seen time and again, most recently amid the disruptions in the Middle East."

Semakau is home to Singapore's only landfill, while Bukom houses the country's first refinery. Pulau Sudong has an airstrip used by the Singapore Armed Forces during emergencies. These, together with a few smaller islands, would form the new landmass.

Mr Wong said the island would not be limited to petrochemicals, and could support a new generation of industries, including advanced manufacturing.

“Jurong Island shaped our economy for the last 50 years,” Mr Wong said. “This new western island can help shape Singapore for the next 50 years and beyond."

The plan comes as Singapore looks to expand its energy options amid land constraints and a lack of natural resources.

Singapore is exploring clean energy sources, including nuclear power, to strengthen its energy security against a more volatile global landscape. It has yet to decide on deploying nuclear power and will undergo an assessment by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 2027 to gauge its readiness to make an informed decision on adopting nuclear energy.

Singapore has been building capabilities across 19 areas identified by the IAEA as necessary for a country to establish a nuclear power programme, including evaluating and developing suitable sites for nuclear installations with safety requirements in mind.