Jurong Island: Creating a World-Class Energy and Chemicals Hub
chronicles the genesis, planning and development of Jurong Island.
Originally seven small islands located south of Singapore, Jurong
Island today serves as the base of operations for over 100 leading
chemical and energy companies. Convincing international companies
to invest in Singapore was no easy feat and required the creation
and provision of competitive advantages, such as its vertically
integrated structure and plug-and-play concept. Jurong Island is also
constantly examining ways to remain competitive and sustainable in
an increasingly unpredictable world, whether through diversifying
to include specialty chemicals, building research and innovation
capabilities, implementing digitisation, or moving towards a circular
economy. This study examines Singapore’s approach to managing
and growing such heavy industries while maintaining a high level of
liveability and sustainability.
“Today, we are the third largest oil refining centre in the world, and
[a] petrochemical centre, with all the major oil companies having
significant investments here. It is a huge achievement considering
that we have no energy supplies of our own, not much land area,
nor any other natural advantages except that we had the idea, we
could execute and implement, and we made it happen.”
- Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong