The project seeks to make better use of limited spaces for clean energy production by deploying solar panels at underutilised roof spaces within the premises. When completed, the 1.48 MWp system can generate an estimated 1.9 GWh of electricity annually, which is equivalent to avoiding 1,346 metric tons of carbon emissions or offsetting the energy consumption of around 440 four-room HDB flats.
The underutilised roof spaces at Downtown East’s E!Avenue retail mall and 387-room D’Resort account for just five per cent of the total area, but the solar system that is being installed will be able to provide around nine per cent of the complex’s total energy consumption.
Phase 1 of the solar power project has just been completed and commissioned this month, while phase 2 is projected to start in the second quarter of 2022.
The power purchase agreement with Downtown East’s owner, NTUC Club, will be for a period of 20 years. Downtown East is Singapore’s well-loved lifestyle and entertainment destination. Besides accommodation, retail and food and beverage, Downtown East also features a water theme park, a cineplex, an indoor skating rink and a large event space. NTUC Club is the leisure and entertainment arm of NTUC.
Frank Phuan, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sunseap, said: “We are excited to partner NTUC Club in the greening of such an important lifestyle hub for its members and their families. We hope that this will lead the way for owners of other non-commercial buildings to consider solar deployment as a viable option to reduce carbon emissions.
“As Singapore strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we need to make use of every available space to boost solar energy production. This partnership with Downtown East demonstrates how through careful and thoughtful planning, we can generate a significant amount of green energy despite the limitation of space.”
Ronnie Tan, Group Director of NTUC Club and General Manager of Downtown East, added: “The solar power project marks the most recent milestone for Downtown East towards clean energy production. More significantly, this is also part of our go-green initiatives as well as our commitment to make an important step towards Singapore’s push to harness renewable energy to reduce carbon footprint.”
Sunseap is one of the region’s largest and most established solar energy providers with completed and pipeline projects in Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, China, Taiwan and Cambodia. Besides providing renewable energy, Sunseap can also help companies lower their carbon footprint and electricity bills by improving the design and energy efficiency of their various facilities.
