1 Partnering with Singapore’s Clean-tech Initiatives 2013 ©Green Technology Asia Pte Ltd THE OPPORTUNITY The acceptance of Climate Change by the world’s leading economic institutions, including the IBRD and World Bank, and the prescription of clean technologies as a partial solution to slowing and possibly halting the otherwise inevitable damage to the world’s coastlines, ocean health, desertification, rainfall and weather extremes with resulting catastrophes in food production, loss of arable land, forced migrations, political upheavals and the increase of armed conflict, make the development and application of clean technologies has been accepted by Singapore, not only vital to global survival, but also good business. The overall responsibility for directing climate change and green technology policy in Singapore comes under the National Climate Change Secretariat , Prime Minister’s Office of Singapore www.nccs.gov.sg. The NCCS released a National Climate Change Strategy in 2012 titled “Climate Change and Singapore: Challenges. Opportunities. Partnerships” (A copy is available as a pdf download from their website). The interest of the Singapore Government is broadly two fold: to preserve and protect Singapore and its citizens from the impacts of climate change, and to position the economy to take advantage of the economic opportunities that clean tech is offering. In addition to a clear sighted recognition of the threat climate change poses to the region, the Singapore Government also recognizes the opportunity for economic growth in harmony with goals of lower carbon consumption, energy efficiency and energy and water conservation. By 2015, the GOS anticipates Cleantech sector will contribute S$3.4 billion to Singapore’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employ 18,000 people, with Clean Energy contributing S$1.7 billion to GDP and 7,000 jobs. Clean Energy is an important sector in the Cleantech industry. There is a strong focus on solar energy in Singapore, given its strategic location in the tropical sunbelt and its semiconductor capabilities. There is also emphasis on wind energy, biomass, tidal energy, smart grids, green buildings, energy efficiency and carbon services. This will not only include technologies adaptable to Singapore’s domestic market, which is limited for renewables but for the much larger regional markets, one example Singapore’s involvement in China’s Eco-City projects through Temasek Holdings’ Singbridge www.singbridge.sg. In support of these goals, the Government has instituted an aggressive and wide ranging campaign of programmes, grants, subsidies and other incentives, as well as a comprehensive programme of public awareness. In 2007, Singapore allocated nearly S$700 million to develop five key pillars: R&D, developing manpower, grooming Singapore-based enterprises, branding our industry Disclaimer: The information in this paper is provided without any representations or warranties, express or implied. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the information in this paper. 2 internationally and growing a vibrant industry ecosystem. The city also welcomes Cleantech companies to use Singapore as a ‘Living Lab’ to testbed and demonstrate innovative solutions before scaling up for the rest of the world. The Energy Innovation Programme Office (EIPO), formerly known as Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO), is Singapore’s key inter-agency workgroup responsible for planning and executing strategies to develop the energy sector in Singapore. Since its inception in 2007, EIPO has launched several key initiatives, including the establishment of public sector R&D centres, competitive funding and talent development programmes. Dedicated with an additional S$195 million from the National Research Foundation in 2011, EIPO is led by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Energy Market Authority (EMA). EIPO reports to an executive committee co-chaired by Chairman EDB and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry. Many of these funds can be accessed by foreign companies under conditions which may include finding a local joint venture partner, establishing an independent presence in Singapore or through co-funding arrangements. Other funds may provide support for the testing and purchase of foreign technologies, goods and services. GOVERNMENT POLICY Carbon Pricing and Feed in Tariffs The Singapore Government has on several occasions stated it will not implement feed-in tariffs, taking the orthodox economic position that this will tend to distort prices. However, there are other practical reasons mitigating against PV installations; 80% of Singaporeans live in high rise buildings, limiting roof space. Tenancy periods (and indeed building life) tends to be shorter than the 20-25 year estimated payback period for PV installations. There remains the possibility of rooftop leasing to utilities, which has the added attraction of raising rent revenues. Solar Power Purchase Agreements The first grid connected system in Singapore was inaugurated in March 2006 with a peak capacity of 14.48 kWp and an estimated annual yield of 19,000 kWp. The system was installed on the roof of the German-European school by SUNSET Solar Energietechnik in a joint venture with Deutschen Energie- Agentur GmbH www.dena.de/en/ The pioneer SPPA in Singapore is currently being initiated by the Housing Development Board (HDB) in the eco town of Punggol. HDB has awarded a tender to lease three mega watt peak solar PV systems. Under the tender solar system developer Sunseap to design, finance, install, operate and maintain the solar systems. Under the agreement Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council will have a service agreement with Disclaimer: The information in this paper is provided without any representations or warranties, express or implied. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the information in this paper. 3 Sunseap to pay for the power generated and used, at a preferential rate of up to 5% discount off the retail tariff. To date the HDB has committed S$15M for the installation of a 3MW peak solar PV system for 175 blocks of flats. This is the second project a) Keppel Seghers NEWater Development Company, which is owned by K-Green Trust, has installed a 1- megawatt system at its NEWater plant in Ulu Pandan. This is currently the largest system in a single location in Singapore and the first renewable energy system in Singapore to power water recycling. b) Greenpac, a manufacturer of environmental packaging solutions, is implementing a 330 kilowatt peak (kWp) system on their industrial building rooftop. Resulting energy savings will also help Greenpac achieve Green Mark certification by the Building and Construction Authority, or BCA. c) Sakae Holdings will install a 270 kWp system on the roof of Sakae Sushi’s factory at Paya Lebar, which also houses rainwater harvesting and food waste-to-energy systems. d) Cambridge Industrial Trust intends to install a 150 kWp solar PV system on the roof of their light industrial building at 30 Toh Guan Road, as part of their sustainability efforts, and to achieve Green Mark certification for all their industrial and commercial properties by 2014. FUNDING The overall responsibility for directing climate change and green technology policy in Singapore comes under the National Climate Change Secretariat , Prime Minister’s Office of Singapore www.nccs.gov.sg. The NCCS released a National Climate Change Strategy in 2012 titled “Climate Change and Singapore: Challenges. Opportunities. Partnerships” (A copy is available as a pdf download from their website). The Energy Innovation Programme Office (EIPO), formerly known as Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO), is Singapore’s key inter-agency workgroup responsible for planning and executing strategies to develop the energy sector in Singapore. Since its inception in 2007, EIPO has launched several key initiatives, including the establishment of public sector R&D centres, competitive funding and talent development programmes. Dedicated with an additional S$195 million from the National Research Foundation in 2011, EIPO is led by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Energy Market Authority (EMA). EIPO reports to an executive committee co-chaired by Chairman EDB and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry. Funding schemes for clean technology come under eight agencies of government: - Building and Construction Authority www.bca.gov.sg - Economic Development Board www.edb.gov.sg Disclaimer: The information in this paper is provided without any representations or warranties, express or implied. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the information in this paper. 4 - Land Transport Authority www.lta.gov.sg - National Environment Agency www.nea.gov.sg - National Parks Board www.nparks.gov.sg - PUB, the national water agency www.pub.gov.sg - SPRING Singapore www.spring.gov.sg - Urban Redevelopment Authority www.ura.gov.sg In addition, Singapore’s A*Star www.a-star.edu.sg funds clean tech and related research programmes through its associated Research Institutes, Universities and Polytechnic Colleges. These include Nanyang University’s Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering iESE www.iese.ntu.edu.sg There are currently over nine discrete funding areas and over twenty separate active funding programs. These include subsidies, fast write off and tax breaks, however a number that were initiated in 2007 and have now expired. Current programmes which offer opportunities