The company EDP Renewables (Euronext: EDPR) has won the 8th phase of the SolarNova program, a Singaporean public tender aimed at identifying a developer of distributed solar energy. The tender was jointly conducted by the Singapore Housing and Development Board and the Singapore Economic Development Board.
As part of the project, the company has pledged to deliver a minimum power of 130 MWp with a target potential of 200 MWp. The project also involves the installation of over 320,000 solar panels in 1,075 residential buildings in Singapore and 101 government buildings, including in 55 public schools.
This is the largest initiative within the SolarNova program, a government initiative focusing on accelerating the implementation of photovoltaic systems in Singapore. EDPR was the only developer chosen in this phase to implement photovoltaic installations.
This is also the third SolarNova tender won by EDPR. This time, the implemented project offers an opportunity to test new innovative concepts such as advanced regeneration, which could extend the lifespan of a solar panel to five years and maximize its output power.
Thanks to the win, EDPR will actively contribute to achieving Singapore’s strategic goal of introducing at least 2 GWp of solar energy into the system by 2030. It also reflects the attractive development opportunities for EDPR in the APAC region.
Once fully operational, the project will power more than 50,000 four-bedroom apartments and potentially reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 96,000 metric tons per year. The energy generated by the solar panels on residential buildings will be used to power appliances for all residents during the day.
“SolarNova 8 project confirms our position as a leading player in renewable energy in Singapore. It also brings benefits such as new job opportunities and economic growth. Our aim is to set new standards in innovation and environmental management and to make a significant and meaningful contribution to Singapore’s clean energy landscape,” said Pedro Vasconcelos, COO of EDP Renewables APAC.
Singapore’s national climate goal is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Solar energy is one of the key catalysts driving this ambitious program. Winning the SolarNova tender puts EDPR at the forefront of this transformative journey. The success of this initiative underscores the company’s dedication to energy transition and aligns with Singapore’s vision of a low-emission future. EDP recognizes the pivotal role of innovation in solar energy and supports Singapore’s efforts towards decarbonization, and a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.
About the Housing and Development Board (HDB)
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is Singapore’s public housing authority. It plans and develops Singapore’s residential neighborhoods, builds homes, and transforms towns to create a high-quality living environment for all. It also provides various commercial, recreational, and social amenities. Currently, over 1 million homes have been completed in 24 towns and 3 estates across Singapore. HDB homes house about 80% of Singapore’s population, 90% of whom own their homes. More information about HDB can be found on the website hdb.gov.sg
About the SolarNova program
Launched in 2014, SolarNova is an initiative of the Singapore government led by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and HDB to accelerate the implementation of photovoltaic (PV) systems in Singapore. Through the SolarNova program, HDB brings together the public sector’s demand for the installation of solar panels in HDB blocks and government facilities.
After exceeding the previous target of acquiring 220 megawatts of peak power (MWp) by 2020, HDB announced in 2019 a new target of 540 MWp, to be achieved by 2030. This could contribute to generating 648 GWh of clean energy annually, enabling the achievement of national solar energy objectives of 1.5 gigawatts of peak power (GWp) by 2025 and 2 GWp by 2030, in line with Singapore’s Green Plan.
Note: EDP Renewables APAC, formerly known as Sunseap, won two of the eight tenders, namely SolarNova 1 in 2015 and SolarNova 4 in 2019, installing photovoltaic systems on about 2,400 public residential buildings. Victory in SolarNova 8 signifies the company’s third win in the series. The SolarNova program will generate an estimated 420 GWh of solar energy annually. This represents about 5% of total energy consumption in Singapore, or the equivalent of powering 88,000 public housing homes.
