HDB-EDB Joint Press Release – Largest Solar Leasing Tender Launched Under SolarNova Programme

The Housing & Development Board (HDB) has called the largest solar leasing tender to date, aggregating multi-agency demand for the installation of solar panels across 848 HDB blocks and 27 government sites.

2 This is the third tender to be launched under the SolarNova programme, led jointly by HDB and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). With this tender, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems of 50 megawatt-peak (MWp) will be installed. This is a 25% increase over the previous two SolarNova tenders which involved the installation of 40 MWp of solar PV systems each. Compared to the previous tenders, more HDB blocks have been identified for this tender. Tenderers are also required to optimise the roof space for solar panel installation.

3 In addition to existing agencies which have participated in the previous tenders, such as HDB, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Education (MOE) and National Environment Agency (NEA), this tender will see another four government organisations participating for the first time, bringing together a total of 8 government agencies on board the programme. The four new agencies are the Building & Construction Authority (BCA), Institute of Technical Education (ITE), National Heritage Board (NHB) and Sport Singapore (SportSG).

4 This multi-agency solar leasing tender will close on 31 January 2018, and targeted to be awarded in 2Q2018. Installation of the solar PV systems is expected to be completed by 2Q2020. The full list of government organisations and sites covered under the third SolarNova tender is attached in Annex A.

5 HDB’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Cheong Koon Hean said, “HDB plays a key role in supporting Singapore’s collective efforts to promote sustainable development. One area that we actively look into is to harness solar energy from the rooftops of HDB blocks. HDB’s efforts in building solar capabilities have made steady progress. Today, HDB is the largest stakeholder in solar PV installation, having committed to fulfil over 60 percent of the 350 MWp of solar capacity that Singapore has planned to achieve by 2020. To allow government agencies to leverage HDB’s economies of scale, we have aggregated the demand across agencies under the SolarNova programme, jointly with EDB. This has helped to spur solar adoption across the whole-of-government. With this third SolarNova tender, we are on track to achieve our goal of rolling out 220MWp of solar panels across 5,500 HDB blocks by 2020.”

HDB is on track to achieve the goal of rolling out 220MWp of solar panels
across 5,500 HDB blocks by 2020.

About SolarNova

6 The SolarNova programme aggregates demand for solar energy across public sector agencies to enable those with smaller solar PV demand to enjoy solar energy at a lower cost due to economies of scale. This is expected to accelerate solar adoption in Singapore and will contribute strongly to Singapore’s plan to raise the adoption of solar power to 350 MWp by 2020.

7 As the largest stakeholder in the installation of solar PV systems in Singapore, HDB acts as the government’s central procurement agency for solar panels. Upon the award of the tender, the individual government organisations will oversee the installation of the solar PV panels for their buildings.

8 Based on the current sustainable business model of solar leasing, HDB (and other participating organisations taking part in the bulk tender) need not fund any portion of the upfront cost for such solar projects. The user parties managing the respective HDB blocks and government buildings will enter into a power purchase agreement with the private sector developer to pay for the solar power consumed, at a preferential rate that will not go beyond the prevailing electricity tariff rate.

Harnessing Solar Energy in HDB Estates

9 Including this third SolarNova tender, HDB has committed a solar capacity of 190 MWp out of the 220 MWp target for 3,350 HDB blocks, and is on track to deploy solar panels on 5,500 HDB blocks by 2020. With solar PV capacity of 220MWp, 265GWh of clean energy can be generated annually – this is equivalent to powering about 55,000 4-room flats, with carbon emissions reduced by 132,500 tonnes each year. The solar energy harnessed is used to power common services in the HDB estates like lifts, lighting in common areas and pumps, helping town councils to moderate the increase in operating and maintenance costs due to inflation.

About the Housing & Development Board (HDB)
The Housing & Development Board (HDB) is the public housing authority in Singapore. Born in a crisis in 1960 to address an acute housing shortage situation, HDB has today successfully housed more than 80 percent of Singapore’s resident population in well-designed apartments located in comprehensively planned housing estates. Beyond the hardware of public housing, the building of communities is also of utmost importance to HDB. HDB has earned much international acclaim, including winning the 2010 United Nations Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, the most prestigious human settlements award in the world to date. For more information on HDB, visit the HDB InfoWEB at www.hdb.gov.sg.

About the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)
The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), a government agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is responsible for strategies that enhance Singapore’s position as a global centre for business, innovation, and talent. We undertake investment promotion and industry development, and work with international businesses, both foreign and local, by providing information, connection to partners and access to government incentives for their investments. Our mission is to create sustainable economic growth, with vibrant business and good job opportunities for Singapore.

Source: hdb.gov.sg