NDR 2026: S’pore to merge several outer islands to form new Western island
Ang Qing Straits Times Aug 23, 2026, 09:06 PM
SINGAPORE – Singapore intends to merge several southern islands to create a new “Western island” in coming decades for a new generation of industries, power generation infrastructure and defence needs.
Pulau Semakau, Pulau Bukom and Pulau Sudong are among islands that could be merged through planned land reclamation announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Aug 23 at the 2026 National Day Rally.
PM Wong said the new island follows the example of Jurong Island, a global energy and chemicals hub that was formed from the reclamation of several offshore islands.
That investment has delivered lasting benefits for Singapore, he added, citing Jurong Island’s role in creating jobs and anchoring important industries, making Singapore a critical node in global energy flows, and strengthening its energy security and resilience, most recently amid the disruptions in the Middle East.
Said PM Wong: “Jurong Island was the result of bold decisions, careful planning and sustained investment over many decades.
“Now it’s our turn to think just as boldly, and build for the next generation.”
He said that every piece of land matters in Singapore, where space is needed for homes, jobs, transport and infrastructure. At the same time, the Republic cherishes green spaces, biodiversity and places with heritage and history.
“Sometimes difficult choices and trade-offs have to be made.
“Where development is necessary, we study the impact carefully, make adjustments and minimise the disruption.”
Nearly half of Singapore is covered in greenery, PM Wong pointed out, adding that Singapore is continuing to expand its green spaces and strengthen native biodiversity.
He stressed that the Singapore way is to plan far ahead by creating new options for future generations, so that they will have room to grow, while preserving what is precious about the city-state.
He said: “We plan fifty, seventy, even one hundred years ahead. We plan with every Singaporean – born and not yet born – in mind.”
To create some of these new possibilities, the Government is looking to transform Singapore’s outer islands, said PM Wong.
He highlighted a cluster of islands south of Jurong Island, which includes Pulau Semakau that houses Singapore’s only offshore landfill, Pulau Bukom - where the nation’s first refinery still operates, and Pulau Sudong.
According to a video shown at the rally, the reclamation profile for the area could also absorb Pulau Hantu, Pulau Jong and Pulau Sebarok.
Over coming decades, Singapore intends to “merge several of these islands into one larger island”, just as the Republic did to create Jurong Island, said PM Wong.
He said: “This new island won’t just be for petrochemicals.
“It can support a new generation of industries, including advanced manufacturing facilities. It can accommodate new power generation infrastructure to meet Singapore’s future needs.”
He said there will be space for Singapore’s defence needs, noting that Pulau Sudong now has an airstrip that the Singapore Armed Forces uses during emergencies.
A new link will also be built to connect Jurong Island to the new western island.
These long-term plans are being studied carefully, said PM Wong.
Just as Jurong Island shaped Singapore’s economy for the last 50 years, the new Western island can help shape Singapore for the next 50 years and beyond, he added.
NDR 2026: Semakau, Bukom and Pulau Sudong may be merged into new island for industrial, power needs
The new island, modelled on Jurong Island's development, could house advanced manufacturing and future power infrastructure.
Koh Wan Ting Channel NewsAsia 23 Aug 2026 09:08PM
SINGAPORE: Several islands west of Singapore, including Semakau, Bukom and Pulau Sudong, may 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, could 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.
