PUB to generate solar power from Bedok, Lower Seletar reservoirs to run operations

PUB said on Monday that it has called a tender to conduct engineering studies for the deployment of floating solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Bedok Reservoir and Lower Seletar Reservoir.

The national water agency said that energy is required throughout the water loop - ranging from the pumping of raw water from reservoirs to waterworks, and the production of drinking water at waterworks to the treatment of wastewater, and the production of NEWater and desalinated water.

PUB said: "There is potential to replace some of the grid energy needed by its operations with solar energy generated by solar panels installed on the roof spaces of existing installations and on the surfaces of the reservoirs."

PUB added that the tender for engineering studies will look into the detailed designs for a 1 MWp (megawatt peak) floating solar PV system at Lower Seletar Reservoir and a 1.5 MWp floating solar PV system at Bedok Reservoir. Occupying roughly 1 and 1.5 hectares respectively, each solar PV system will take up less than 2 per cent of total surface area at the reservoirs. The floating solar panels will be installed away from the current water activities zones at both reservoirs.

PUB is also installing a 0.5 MWp PV system on the roof of Bedok Waterworks by this year.

The solar systems at both reservoirs are estimated to reduce PUB's carbon footprint by about 1.3 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to taking about 270 cars off the road every year, said PUB.

Together with the solar PV system on the roof of Bedok Waterworks, the total carbon footprint will be reduced by at least 1.5 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

PUB said that this is in line with its vision to further tap its installations to generate renewable energy and reduce carbon footprint.