Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal is all set to become the first solar-powered ferry terminal in the Asia-Pacific region. The Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) announced the news, stating that they are collaborating with local solar firm Sunseap Group to source the energy requirements for the terminal.
According to the signed business deal between the two companies, Sunseap will install and maintain solar panel systems that can produce 650 kiloWatt on the roof of the terminal. The panel systems will supply one-third of the terminal's daily energy needs and the rest will be supported by electricity from the grid.
Christina Siaw, CEO of SCC, told Eco-Business that the system—which is an initiative to reduce the terminal's carbon footprint and energy costs—will be ready by June 2017 and is expected to counterbalance 327 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. "The deal with Sunseap will allow us to tap solar power but still be assured of stability of energy supply to keep our terminal running smoothly. At the same time, we are reducing our carbon footprint and achieving savings on our electricity bills," Siaw further added.
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal is a popular boarding point for tourists and passengers as it is an ideal point to travel to the Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintan. The terminal consumes 3.4 million kilowatts of energy per year.
Frank Phuan, the Co-Founder and Director of Sunseap Group, said in a statement, "Sunseap is always looking for ways to make the adoption of clean energy a smooth transition for our clients. The hybrid offer gives us more flexibility to devise an attractive offer for our clients." The Singapore government is also promoting businesses and households to switch to renewable energy sources and many programs to promote the initiative is likely to be announced soon. Even the prices of solar modules have dropped making it equal or lower than the regular sources.
Recently, the government announced new carbon tax that will be implemented from 2019 with initial prices set between US$7 and US$14 per tonne of emissions.
