150m underground: A guide to the Jurong Rock Caverns and their role in Singapore’s energy security

“Facilities like the Jurong Rock Caverns are part of how we plan ahead for Singapore’s future,” he said.

Other underground facilities in Singapore

Singapore’s use of underground space goes beyond oil storage, and is part of a broader strategy to optimise land use while supporting infrastructure needs.

The Underground Ammunition Facility at Mandai Quarry was completed in 2008. Moving storage underground freed up 300 hectares of land and at the same time, improved safety and energy efficiency due to natural granite insulation. 

Looking ahead, the government is studying the feasibility of building an underground cavern at Gali Batu in Sungei Kadut to store construction materials, said Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat at the Professor Chen Charng Ning Distinguished Lecture Series last month. 

Such a project would involve complex engineering challenges, including excavation, structural support, ventilation and the coordination of underground logistics, added Mr Chee.

Another example is SP Group’s underground substation at Labrador. The project features a 230kV electrical substation built below ground, with a 34-storey commercial tower above it, making it the first such integrated development in Southeast Asia.