JTC Corporation (JTC) and Shell Singapore have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding MOU) to jointly explore developing a solar farm on part of Semakau Landfill located south of the Singapore mainland.
The MOU is supported by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Energy Market Authority (EMA).
If successful, the solar farm would be the first large-scale solar project in Singapore where a sanitary landfill is also used for clean energy generation. The project is aligned with Singapore’s target to increase solar deployment to at least 2 gigawatt-peak (GWp) by 2030.
The solar farm is expected take up an area of 60 hectares and have a capacity of at least 72 megawatt-peak (MWp), sufficient to reduce CO2 emissions by 37,000 tonnes a year. The energy produced can power up to 17,500 households for a year.
Shell’s Pulau Bukom Energy and Chemicals Park is located 2km northwest of Semakau Landfill.
“JTC is piloting new sustainable energy innovations with Shell to maximise the use of renewable energy solutions for our industries. This project is an example of how we are tapping available land to double up for solar generation to maximise renewable energy generation,” says Tan Boon Khai, CEO of JTC.
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Aw Kah Peng, chairman of Shell companies in Singapore, says the project is aligned with Shell Singapore’s 10-year plan to cut down on emissions and help customers decarbonise.
Shell has a target of becoming a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050
“This multi-agency-corporate partnership is a great showcase of the creativity and collaboration that are vital to success in energy transition. With a common goal of enabling more and cleaner energy, we look forward to exploring with our partners this opportunity to maximise the use of Semakau in a way that is compatible with its primary purpose as a landfill”, he adds.
Luke Goh, CEO of the NEA, said: "NEA is happy to support the deployment of a solar farm on Semakau Landfill. It will contribute towards the national solar deployment target and complement NEA's resource sustainability initiatives. Semakau Landfill remains Singapore’s only operational landfill. To preserve its capacity for as long as possible, we are redoubling efforts to reduce waste and close the waste loop."
Meanwhile, EMA chief executive Ngiam Shih Chun says the successful implementation of this offshore solar farm will demonstrate how Singapore can be creative in its solar deployment.
JTC and Shell will next jointly conduct a request for information (RFI) exercise on June 24 to source for innovative solutions from the market.
Photo: National Environment Agency
