Singapore to explore development of offshore renewable energy on Pulau Satumu; work expected to commence in the fourth quarter

Singapore is set to conduct a study in the fourth quarter of this year to explore the feasibility of developing floating solar panels and tidal farms around the southern island of Pulau Satumu, to support decarbonisation in the maritime sector through renewable energy.

Responding to queries from Lianhe Zaobao, the MPA said that it has earmarked 30 ha around the island to be suitable for research in the feasibility of producing renewable energy such as solar power and tidal energy, on a large scale.

Home to the Raffles Lighthouse, Pulau Satumu has a land area of about 1.3 ha.
 

Last month, the MPA initiated a tender for developing a floating solar and tidal farm on the Government Electronic Business website, GeBIZ, for professional consultants who can provide relevant conceptual design, feasibility studies, and environmental impact assessments.

The deployment of floating solar panels and underwater tidal turbines is within the scope of assessment, which MPA said would determine the conceptual design of the farm and its energy production potential.
 

According to the tender document, the concept design should include all the necessary infrastructure and measures, maximise the production of all feasible renewable energy types, and support the adoption of energy sources.

If the impact on the environment, safety of navigation, and other stakeholders cannot be completely avoided, mitigation measures will have to be developed.
 

Last year, the MPA worked with maritime energy operator Bluenergy Solutions to launch a proof-of-value project where tidal turbines were deployed off Pulau Satumu to generate hydrokinetic energy as an alternative to transporting diesel for power generation for facilities supporting the Raffles Lighthouse. At that time, there were no underwater marine artefacts or coral reefs near the turbines.

MPA said that the insights gained from the project would be helpful to the feasibility studies.
 

Expert: Pulau Satumu the ideal location due to strong tidal flow and sufficient sunlight

Dr Narasimalu Srikanth, director of the renewables and low-carbon generation programme at Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Energy Research Institute, said that the strong tides and sunlight around Pulau Satumu are ideal locations for tidal and solar power generation, and if completed, will be Singapore’s first floating solar power and tidal energy farm.

Dr Srikanth noted that farms could balance green energy with maritime operational needs by integrating renewable energy systems into multifunctional marine structures.

According to the tender document, professional consultants should assess the concepts put forward by at least two authorities, one of which is the construction of a multi-purpose breakwater structure that can be used for energy storage systems for berthing of seaport vessels, and berthing facilities for mobile marine charging stations. Floating renewable energy farms can be developed in protected waters behind the breakwater.

Dr Srikanth believes that the concept can optimise space and reduce infrastructure costs. In addition, phenomena such as the rise in sea level and strong wind gusts due to climate change may affect renewable energy systems, so concept designs should incorporate mitigating measures such as adjustable floating platforms and corrosion-resistant materials.
 

Dr Thomas Reindl, deputy CEO at the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), said that Pulau Satumu is a suitable testbed for emerging marine technologies as it is located away from major shipping routes, and can tap on renewable energy from the Raffles lighthouses.

In addition to solar power and tidal energy, Dr Reindl said that the sea breeze at the Southern Islands could produce wind power, which in small amounts, could serve as a source of electricity to the Raffles Lighthouse. In larger amounts, it could be economically feasible to be transmitted as electricity via submarine cables to industrial islands such as Pulau Bukom or Jurong Island.

Another option is to use it as a vessel charging point, with vessels serving as a mobile storage system.
 

Marine structure or coral reef impact experts: safe distancing must be maintained

Pulau Satumu's coastline is surrounded by shorelines, said Associate Professor Huang Danwei, Deputy Head of Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum at NUS. According to their research, the island has one of the richest and most diverse coral reefs in Singapore, including Acropora corals, which are rare in other coral reef locations.

Prof Huang said that compared to the coral reefs in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, coral coverage at Pulau Satumu is also much higher than average.

He noted that structures on the sea surface could reduce light and affect coral reef health and biodiversity and that nearby facilities could cause noise pollution or damage to corals and other organisms. He added that the environmental assessment should pay special attention to farm locations to ensure safe distancing from natural coral reef habitats.

Dr Reindl said that many marine energy systems, including floating solar powers, are flexible enough to adapt to the adverse environmental impacts identified.
 

Source: Lianhe Zaobao © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

Note: EDB sought permission from Lianhe Zaobao to independently produce an English translation of "我国将探讨沙都姆岛海上再生能源发展 预计第四季开展", which was published 8 August 2024.