Genting Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) is partnering with the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) to install solar panels at 18 sites across Sentosa island, with the goal of generating 10% of the island’s energy needs by 2030.
The partnership will see RWS start installing solar panels this month at 11 sites on its premises, including Universal Studios Singapore and Hard Rock Hotel Singapore’s rooftops. Along with an additional site at RWS’ warehouse at Pandan Green Gardens, the new sites will quadruple RWS’ existing solar network which already hosts one of the largest solar photovoltaic systems in Singapore’s hospitality sector, the company said. This, it added, forms a key part of RWS’ Sustainability Master Plan and decarbonization strategy as it advances its efforts to drive sustainable tourism.
Meanwhile the SDC is launching a tender for the installation of solar panels at seven sites on Sentosa island such as Palawan Kidz City, Beach Station and the three Sentosa Line cable car stations.
This marks the first time that rooftops with varying tenures have been consolidated into a single tender in Singapore – with tenure refering to the duration that each rooftop is available for the installations based on considerations such as development and renovation plans for each building. Locations were selected after taking into account the availability of sufficient sunlight and an unobstructed guest experience, the SDC explained.
Due for completion by 2023, the 18 new sites will cover a combined 2.5 hectares and produce 3,871,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean energy annually. The resultant reduction in carbon emissions will be equivalent to that generated by 60,000 hotel room nights.
“There is much to look forward to in Sentosa’s future as the precinct makes a collective effort to embrace sustainability,” said RWS CEO Tan Hee Teck.
“Transitioning to renewable energy is an important means to combat climate change and forms an integral part of RWS’ decarbonization strategy. Our aim is to accelerate our transition to next generation renewable energy which includes solar, wind, tidal and kinetic energy through applied research and test-bedding at RWS, which will then be adapted for scalability across a variety of environments within our resort. This will all culminate towards RWS’ goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.”
SDC CEO Ms Thien Kwee Eng added, “Solar is one of the most viable renewable sources of energy for Sentosa and Singapore. However, one challenge is how precincts can optimize underutilized spaces to harness the potential of solar energy. The deployment of photovoltaic cells across Sentosa’s establishments through a consolidated approach, comprising different rooftops with varying sizes and tenures, is an illustration of how we can collaborate as a business ecosystem to tap on such opportunities.
“Using this approach, the initiative will take us one step further towards being a sustainable leisure destination with a lower carbon footprint.”
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