- Kyle Chua
Improved Solar Energy System Could Meet 90% of Pulau Ubin's Electricity Needs
Pulau Ubin residents have some exciting developments to look forward to.
In celebration of the annual Ubin Day, the National Parks Board (NParks) announced on Saturday, 25 June that the island will benefit from new amenities that will improve residents’ quality of life.
Chief of which is an expanded solar energy grid that could power up to 90 per cent of the village’s electricity needs.
The island’s existing grid was launched by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) in 2013, supplying both residents and businesses with solar electricity. However, only about 15 per cent of the island’s consumption is powered by the sun, with the rest being taken care of by diesel-powered generators connected to the grid. The new development is meant to make the grid’s energy supply cleaner and extend its coverage to households in Kampong Sungei Durian.
Operator EDPR Sunseap APAC will also reportedly add plant installations next to the solar panels themselves to maximise the grid’s solar photovoltaic (PV) output. This should reduce the ambient temperature of solar PV systems and increase efficiency.
An energy storage system will also be built to reduce the chances of electricity disruption and further improve the reliability of the new energy system.
Additionally, NParks is partnering with the Government Technology Agency (GovTech) to install personal alert buttons in the homes of the island’s elderly residents. The GovTech-developed button allows the elderly to call for help during emergencies through a single press.
NParks, which is Pulau Ubin’s central managing agency, also said more firefighting facilities will be built at the main village, Kampong Sungei Durian and Ubin Living Lab. These include fire hydrants and hose reels, which give first responders and firefighters a continuous supply of water.
The new amenities are expected to be completed by next year.
Outside of the amenities, NParks announced that the development of nesting sites at the island has allowed it to record over 21 nesting occurrences of blue-throated bee-eater, a species under the agency’s Species Recovery Programme. It also recorded the first breeding of the lesser whistling duck at Pekan Quarry this year, suggesting its habitat enhancement efforts are yielding results.
The National Parks Board (NParks) on announced that the Pulau Ubin's residents will benefit from new amenities that will improve their quality of life.
The agency plans to build an expanded solar energy grid that could power up to 90 per cent of the village’s electricity needs.
Other amenities include new firefighting infrastructures and personal alert buttons for elderly residents.
The new developments are expected to be ready by next year.