SINGAPORE: A renewable energy farm could be built in the waters around Raffles Lighthouse, with a feasibility study expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) told CNA that it has earmarked 30ha around the island and is looking into installing solar panels above the sea surface and tidal turbines underwater.
Observers said it would be the first facility in Singapore to combine harnessing energy from the sun as well as tides on a large scale.
The total energy generated in a year could power the equivalent of 1,000 four-room Housing Board flats, said an expert.
It would likely be used to charge electric harbour craft, in line with upcoming requirements to decarbonise the maritime industry.
From 2030, new harbour craft in the country must be fully electric, be able to use cleaner biofuels or be compatible with net-zero fuels such as hydrogen.
This comes amid a push for all harbour craft and pleasure craft to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, as part of the national climate ambition.
MPA initiated a tender on Jul 24 for the feasibility study of a maritime floating solar and tidal farm. The study will assess the environmental impacts of the farm and guide the development of measures to mitigate any potential
issues.
According to tender documents, the statutory board is looking for concepts that support energy storage and the charging of electric harbour craft.
The farm’s energy
generation potential will be dependent on the conceptual design, which will be developed through the study, added MPA.
Source: CNA
