Sembcorp Industries in Singapore has started construction onsite for a 60 MW floating solar power plant it is building in the country through its wholly-owned subsidiary Sembcorp Floating Solar Singapore. The company secured a contract for the country's largest floating solar PV plant from the National Water Agency PUB in February 2020 after clearing a competitive round (see Sembcorp For 60 MW Floating PV Project In Singapore).
It will be one of the world's largest inland floating solar PV systems when complete, said Sembcorp that plans to deploy double-glass PV modules for the project that it sees enhancing durability of a wet and humid environment compared to single-glass variants. Modules will be deployed on high density polyethylene (HDPE) UV-resistant floats. The project will be digitally monitored with live video monitoring, dashboards and alerts during its entire lifespan of 25 years.
Once online it will generate enough clean power to electrify PUB's local water treatment plants, offsetting 7% of PUB's annual energy needs. Sembcorp did not disclose its chosen vendor for module supply.
"This large-scale floating solar platform, which features the deployment of advanced technological and system innovations, will also enhance Singapore's global position in renewable energy production," said Group President and CEO of Sembcorp Industries Wong Kim Yin.