Universal Studios’ Minion Land to be first Singapore attraction powered by renewable energy

SLATED to open in 2024, the new Minion Land zone at the Universal Studios Singapore (USS) theme park is poised to be the first attraction in the country, and possibly the region, to be powered by renewable energy, said Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) chief executive officer Tan Hee Teck on Thursday (May 26).

Integrated resort RWS, owned by Genting, hopes to attain the Zero Energy Building certification from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) when Minion Land opens.

The zone will be powered by renewable energy and utilise smart energy systems such as digital twin technology, demand flow controllers and high efficiency motors, RWS said in a press release.

“This is part of wider efforts to transform RWS into a sustainable tourism destination,” said Tan at the groundbreaking ceremony for the attraction, which marked the start of the journey to refresh and enhance USS. The theme park, which opened in 2010, is the first and only Universal Studios in South-east Asia.

Since 2015, USS has achieved BCA’s Green Mark Platinum award and RWS wants to continue to do its “utmost” to care for the planet, said Tan.

“I am confident that Minion Land will create a huge wave of excitement in this region and become a new purpose of visit to Singapore when it opens, thereby contribute significantly to tourism growth,” he added.

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At a separate speech, Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan said RWS’ sustainability efforts are in line with both the Sustainable Sentosa Roadmap and the Singapore Green Plan 2030. 

“I’m hopeful, and actually very optimistic, that with the easing of (Covid-19) restrictions and the opening of travel, we will see more people coming to Sentosa and Universal Studios to visit Minion Land,” he said.  

Based on the popular characters in the animation movie Despicable Me, Minion Land will offer attractions such as an immersive motion-simulator 3D ride, themed shops and restaurants, as well as a world’s first original ride that is exclusive to USS. The new zone will replace the previous Madagascar boat ride which closed in March this year to make way for the development of Minion Land.

The development of Minion Land is one of the key components of RWS 2.0 - the IR’s massive expansion project - as it prepares for the revival of Singapore’s tourism sector. 

In addition to Minion Land, RWS 2.0 also includes the enhancement and rebranding of Sentosa’s S.E.A. Aquarium to establish the Singapore Oceanarium, which is scheduled to open in 2024 as well. 

The refurbishment of 3 of RWS’ hotels - Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Hotel Michael and Festive Hotel - is part of the upgrading project too. These hotels are currently undergoing renovation work and will continue in phases through 2023.