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HDB Wins Singapore Energy Award for Pioneering Role in Solar Deployment
HDB was conferred the Singapore Energy Award 2015 (Organisation Category) at the Singapore International Energy Week 2015 today. The only recipient under the Organisation category, HDB is the first government organisation to bag this award. The Award recognises HDB’s role in catalysing the deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology in Singapore on a wide and impactful scale, through HDB’s Solar Capability Building Programme and Solar Leasing Model.
2 Organised by the Energy Market Authority, the Singapore Energy Award is a prestigious, biennial award that recognises organisations and individuals that have made outstanding contributions to Singapore’s energy sector and society, through achievements in the areas of capabilities development and/or innovation.
3 HDB’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Building), Mr Sng Cheng Keh said, “HDB is honoured to be the first government organisation to receive the Singapore Energy Award. This is a strong affirmation of HDB’s commitment to build capabilities in solar PV technology, which is key to our goal to create sustainable HDB towns. HDB will endeavour to bring such innovation to more towns so that our residents can enjoy cleaner and greener energy”.
4 HDB is currently the largest stakeholder in the installation of solar PV system in Singapore. By end 2015, about 400 HDB blocks islandwide will be installed with solar panels. Power generated by the solar energy harnessed could be used to power common services like lifts, lighting in common areas, and pumps.
5 We have made steady progress in harnessing the power of solar energy in HDB blocks. Currently, about 55 MWp has been procured and committed by HDB (excluding the 40MWp SolarNova tender called in June). This could potentially generate enough electricity to provide for 14,000 units of 4-room flats in one year.
6 Given the potential to harness solar energy from the extensive rooftop spaces in HDB blocks, HDB embarked on first test-bedding, and subsequently implementing solar PV technology in HDB precincts. The learning points gleaned from the application of solar technology were then shared with the industry to develop their capabilities. Here are the key milestones in HDB’s solar energy journey:
This model was subsequently developed on a wider and more sustainable scale. Town Councils managing the HDB blocks with solar panels will enter into a service agreement with the developer to pay for the solar power generated and consumed, at a preferential rate not higher than the retail electricity tariff rate. This helps the Town Councils to mitigate the rising cost of energy and prevent the raise of S&CC charges. The expertise of private enterprises is harnessed to maximise solar generation without additional cost to the Town Councils.
Under this programme, an initial target of 350 MWp of solar energy by 2020 has been set for the public sector, out of which HDB has committed to progressively roll out 220MWp of solar panels at some 5,500 HDB blocks. Moving forward, HDB will be rolling out large-scale solar PV projects year-on-year to achieve this target.