Singapore's largest power generation firm has switched some of its turbines to gas-fired ones. These turbines are more efficient and produce the same amount of electricity using less fuel.

Senoko Energy on Wednesday morning officially announced the completion of its latest repowering project, which began in 2008 and converted three oil-fired turbines with a 750-megawatt capacity into two gas-fired ones whose total capacity is 862 MW. In all, Senoko has 3,300MW of generation capacity and supplies about 30 per cent of local energy needs.

The move also increases the plant's ability to take advantage of liquefied natural gas from the upcoming terminal, said Senoko president and chief executive Brendan Wauters, and LNG will eventually supply about 20 per cent of the firm's feedstock.

Today, more than 80 per cent of Singapore's electricity is made from natural gas.

Mr S. Iswaran, second minister for home affairs and trade and industry and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, said Wednesday morning that more generation companies here were expected to undertake similar repowering projects.

Senoko also awarded its first two scholarships to ITE students who will pursue a Higher Nitec certificate in mechanical engineering.