Singapore’s Solar Quest: From Reservoirs to the Future
Picture this: a gigantic solar carnival floating right off Singapore’s shore, bright and ready to pump power into the national water treatment plant. That’s the plan behind the PUB’s upcoming floating solar PV project – a bold step toward slashing Singapore’s carbon footprint.
Why a Floating Solar Field?
Being a land‑squeezed, resource‑tight nation, Singapore’s strategy is to get every square metre used. Floating solar panels soak up the sun where there’s no land to waste – on the waters of Tengeh Reservoir. And the PUB is looking for the next big mover to design, build, own, and operate it starting Friday, June 7.
- Home‑grown solar lights to power water treatment.
- Two smaller prototypes sliding into Bedok and Lower Seletar later this year.
- Part of a broader gig that includes turning food scraps into compost and biogas from sludge.
The Ecosperity Conference 2019: Where Ideas Meet Action
Fast forward to a June gathering at the Sands Expo in Marina Bay. Environment Minister Masagos Zulkifli kicked off the 2019 Ecosperity Conference with a snappy call: “We’re at a tipping point. The climate doesn’t care about borders, and your next big decision might be the last one that matters.”
He hit a few high‑octane examples:
- Japan’s Hokkaido heatwave that sent temperatures soaring.
- One‑third of the world’s arable land already lost.
- Growing data on how extreme weather squeezes our food, energy, and water supplies.
“The world is on a 12‑year sprint,” he said, referencing the UN’s 1.5 °C report – “If we keep burning, the planet’s temperature will hit a point of irreversible damage.”
Singapore’s Circuit of Circularity
Mr Masagos is all about turning waste into winning resources:
- Bottom ash from incineration turns into construction material.
- Food waste gets split up and shipped straight to local farms as organic feed.
- At the Tuas Nexus plant, an integrated water‑and‑waste system will cut 200,000 tons of carbon emissions yearly – that’s like pulling 42,500 cars off the road.
He spotlighted businesses that get it:
- Keppel Corp saved a cool $55 million last year by installing photo‑sensors that dim lights according to daylight.
- DBS Bank pledged to ditch new coal projects and funnel money into renewable energy.
Triple Bottom Line: Not Just a Buzzword
“In the future boardroom, decisions will have to weigh environmental, social, and financial impact,” Masagos said. “It’s a simple but powerful way for companies to grow responsibly.”
China’s Green Shift: Lessons for the World
When China, historically the biggest polluter, announced an “ecological civilisation,” many scoffed. Fast‑forward, it’s now the world leader in wind and solar production, investing heavily in green tech.
Lim Boon Heng of Temasek concluded the conference with virtual starkness: “There’s no Plan B – no Planet B. Our job is to reverse the damage we’ve done, for the first time in human history.”
Take‑away
Singapore’s floating solar project isn’t just a tech experiment; it’s a statement that the city‑state will keep pushing sustainable solutions, turning every cup of water into a powerhouse of green energy.
