PUB looks to and Lower Reservoirs for more solar power

Singapore, 30 April 2018: PUB, ’s National Water Agency looks set to produce more solar energy, with a tender called today to conduct engineering studies for the deployment of floating solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in and Reservoir. This is in line with PUB’s vision to further tap on its installations to generate renewable energy and reduce carbon footprint.

Powering PUB installations with solar energy

2 Energy is required throughout the water loop – pumping of raw water from reservoirs to waterworks, production of drinking water at waterworks, treatment of wastewater, and production of NEWater and desalinated water. There is potential to replace some of the grid energy needed by its operations with solar energy generated by solar panels installed on the roof spaces of existing installations and on the surfaces of the reservoirs.

3 PUB’s tender for engineering studies will look into the detailed designs for a 1 MWp (megawatt peak) floating solar PV system at and a 1.5MWp floating solar PV system at Bedok Reservoir. Occupying roughly 1 and 1.5 ha respectively, each solar PV system will take up less than 2 per cent of total surface area at the reservoirs. The floating solar panels will be installed away from the current water activities zones at both reservoirs.

4 Besides the floating solar PV systems, PUB is also installing a 0.5 MWp PV system on the roof of Bedok Waterworks by this year. 5 Collectively, the solar PV systems at Bedok Reservoir and Bedok Waterworks will supply solar energy to both the Pump Station, which pumps raw water from Bedok Reservoir to Bedok Waterworks for treatment, and to the Waterworks to pump treated water into the water supply network for households. Similarly, energy generated by the floating solar PV system at Lower Seletar Reservoir goes to the Lower Seletar Pump Station adjacent to the reservoir to pump raw water to Lower Seletar Waterworks for treatment, and for the transfer of raw water between reservoirs for operational purposes. 6 Currently, PUB has installed solar panels on the rooftops of Waterworks, WaterHub, Marina Barrage and the surface of Tengeh Reservoir as a testbed project. Other land-based installations where PUB has planned for solar deployment include Water Reclamation Plant and Desalination Plant. PUB is also studying the feasibility of floating solar panels deployment at Tengeh and Upper Peirce Reservoirs.

Reducing carbon footprint

7 The solar systems at both reservoirs are estimated to reduce PUB’s carbon footprint by about 1.3kt CO2 annually, equivalent to taking about 270 cars off the road every year.

1

Together with the solar PV system on the roof of Bedok Waterworks, the total carbon footprint will be reduced by at least 1.5kt CO2 annually.

8 “PUB is committed to making our operations more and more environmentally sustainable. PUB’s many reservoirs possess good solar energy potential. These two floating solar PV systems at Bedok and Lower Seletar Reservoirs are small but significant forays into making the water treatment process greener and less dependent on fossil fuels. The more renewables PUB can generate and use, the smaller our carbon footprint, and the greater our contribution to Singapore’s climate change mitigation effort,” said Mr Ng Joo Hee, Chief Executive, PUB.

####

About PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency

PUB is a statutory board under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. It is the national water agency, and manages Singapore’s water supply, water catchment and used water in an integrated way. PUB has ensured a diversified and sustainable supply of water for Singapore with the Four National Taps (local catchment water, imported water, NEWater, desalinated water). PUB calls on everyone to play a part in conserving water, in keeping our waterways clean, and in caring for Singapore’s precious water resources. If we all do our little bit, there will be enough water for all our needs – for commerce and industry, for living, for life.

Find out more about us Like us at www.facebook.com/PUBsg Follow us on www.instagram.com/PUBsingapore and www.twitter.com/PUBsingapore Subscribe to our channel at www.youtube.com/sgPUB For our latest event photos, visit www.flickr.com/PUBsg or www.pinterest.com/PUBsg Download our mobile apps: MyWaters for iOS, Android or Windows Phone Visit our website at www.pub.gov.sg

2

ANNEX

3