Sentosa gets closer to its 2030 carbon neutral goal

Sentosa, the 500-hectare island resort, is getting closer to its 2030 carbon neutral goal. The island, which is home to an array of themed attractions, spa retreats, rainforests, beaches, resorts, golf courses, a yachting marina and luxurious residences, embarked on a solarisation programme in June 2022 under the direction of Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC).

Its joint efforts with five island businesses under the first phase of the programme saw solar panels being deployed across 46 locations under SDC, Mount Faber Leisure Group, Resorts World Sentosa, Capella Singapore, and ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, and Big Tiny, operator of Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus Island.

Over 5.2 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar capacity has already been installed, surpassing the original target of 3 MWp. The new capacity is expected to produce close to 6.6 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean energy annually, and has the potential to achieve an overall reduction of more than 2,600 tonnes CO2e1 per year, equivalent to the carbon emissions generated by 97,700 hotel room nights.

SDC has started Phase Two of the programme by engaging more businesses to come on board the solarisation journey, including Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa and FOC Sentosa. By end of Phase Two in 2025, SDC aims to achieve the next milestone goal of a cumulative island-wide solar capacity of more than 6 MWp, which can generate an estimated annual yield of over 7 GWh of clean energy.

Thien Kwee Eng, CEO, SDC, said, "The island-wide solarisation programme has reached a significant decarbonisation milestone under the Sustainable Sentosa strategic roadmap. It is made possible only through the dedication of SDC and the businesses on the island to harness every viable opportunity for solarisation. By commencing Phase Two, we will continue to maximise deployable spaces, including non-conventional areas, to bring us closer to achieving our 2030 carbon neutral goal."

SDC plans to explore the installation of solar panels at non-conventional spaces on Sentosa to maximise the potential of harnessing solar energy on the island. For a start, SDC has engaged Raitan, a winner of the 2022 Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge (SOIC), to test out the application of novel solar technologies as a pilot project.

This will take the form of solar pavement to be installed at Fort Siloso Skywalk in the first quarter of 2024 for three months. The pilot project will help SDC assess the practical use of platforms such as pedestrian walkways to generate solar energy.