Renewable power: Exploring use of solar canopies at Jurong, Tuas ports

Authorities also looking at erecting them over roads and other open spaces

- Kok Yufeng

In an effort to maximise the amount of solar energy that can be generated in land-scarce Singapore, the authorities are exploring the possibility of building solar canopies at Jurong and Tuas ports.

Similarly, JTC Corporation, the government agency overseeing Singapore’s industrial spaces, plans to look at whether it is possible to erect solar canopies over roads, carparks, drains and other open spaces in Singapore.

Experts said these initiatives, if found to be feasible, could significantly increase Singapore’s solar power capacity, which is crucial for achieving the national goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Solar canopies are outdoor, roof-like structures designed to hold overhanging solar panels, while providing shelter and shade.

Some examples here include the canopy at the main entrance of Guoco Tower in Tanjong Pagar, which has integrated solar panels that can produce up to 2 per cent of the building’s energy use, and breeze shelters at the Marina Bay waterfront promenade.

Singapore has said it aims to generate at least 2 gigawatt-peak (GWp) of solar power by 2030, which is enough to meet about 3 per cent of the country’s projected electricity demand.

As at the first quarter of 2024, the Republic has achieved around 1.2 GWp.

On June 28, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and JTC each called their own tenders for consultants to conduct preliminary studies on the technical and economic feasibility of building solar canopies over various spaces in Singapore.

In the MPA and JTC tenders, the appointed consultants will need to come up with proposed designs for the respective use cases, and recommend where they can be installed for trials, according to tender documents seen by The Straits Times.

MPA said its feasibility study is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2024 and be completed by the end of 2025.