What are the limitations of hydro power for Singapore?

Hydro power is not viable for Singapore due to several limitations:

Geographical Features: Singapore is an island nation located in Southeast Asia and lacks significant mountains or elevated areas necessary for constructing dams and reservoirs for hydro power generation.

Limited Water Resources: Singapore has limited freshwater resources and relies heavily on imported water. Using rivers or reservoirs for hydro power would further strain the country's already scarce water supply and could impact domestic, industrial, and agricultural activities.

Population Density: Singapore is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with a population of over 5.7 million people living in a small land area. Allocating space for large-scale hydro power projects would be challenging due to competing demands for urban development, housing, and other infrastructure.

Lack of Natural Gradient: Unlike countries with mountainous terrain, Singapore is relatively flat and does not have the necessary elevation changes to create a significant hydroelectric potential.

Environmental Impact: Building dams and reservoirs for hydro power generation can have various negative environmental impacts, including displacement of local communities, loss of biodiversity, flooding, and alteration of aquatic ecosystems. In urbanized Singapore, where land is scarce and the environment is highly regulated, these implications could be significant.

Considering these limitations, Singapore focuses on diversifying its energy mix through sustainable sources such as solar energy, wind power, and natural gas, along with energy efficiency measures and energy storage technologies.