SINGAPORE – The Housing Board (HDB) has granted a tender to Sunseap Leasing, an entity of EDP Renewables, to install solar panels across approximately 1,075 HDB blocks and 101 government sites by the third quarter of 2026. The solar capacity of the tender is 130 megawatt-peak (MWp), surpassing initial estimates by 15%, and is expected to power more than 30,000 four-room HDB flats.
HDB disclosed in a statement on Feb 27 that this marks the eighth and most substantial tender under the SolarNova programme, a government initiative jointly led by the Economic Development Board and HDB, which consolidates the demand for solar energy from various agencies.
Installation of the solar panels is set to commence in the second quarter of 2024. Presently, solar panels have been deployed in approximately 3,900 HDB blocks out of the 9,500 designated for such installations.
Energy generated from these solar panels will primarily power common services during daylight hours, such as lifts, lights, and water pumps. Any surplus energy will be directed to the electrical grid. On average, HDB blocks with solar panels can achieve net-zero energy consumption in common areas, aligning the energy used by the building with the amount it produces.
The 101 government sites included in the tender encompass 55 primary and secondary schools, the Singapore Aviation Academy, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters. Sunseap will recover its costs by selling the solar energy generated.
HDB emphasized its commitment to a total solar capacity of 455MWp, sufficient to power about 114,000 four-room flats. This represents almost 85% of its target of 540MWp by 2030. Singapore aims to generate at least 2 gigawatt-peak of solar energy by 2030 under its national green plan, which is projected to meet approximately 3% of the country’s electricity demand that year.
Additionally, HDB has awarded tenders to Chevalier Singapore and EM Services for retrofitting 4,000 lifts islandwide with an Elevator Energy Regeneration System. This system recovers energy generated during lift movement and braking to power services like lighting, ventilation, and the lift display panel. The retrofitting is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2024 and conclude by 2030.
National Development Minister Desmond Lee highlighted in a Facebook post that HDB’s initiatives can significantly contribute to the government’s commitment to sustainable development, particularly given that a majority of Singaporeans reside in public housing. He expressed a dedication to continuous innovation and collaboration with stakeholders to enhance the environmental sustainability of Singapore’s towns.