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SINGAPORE (Oct 29): The government has set a new target deployment of 2 gigawatt-peak (GWp) of solar energy by 2030, which is eight times today’s installed capacity. The new target is estimated to be sufficient to meet the annual power needs of around 350,000 households in Singapore.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) said the government will work with companies, researchers and the public to achieve the targets, in addition to deploying and maximising solar panels over available spaces. These could include rooftops, reservoirs and offshore spaces.

The EMA also announced that it will support a large-scale, nationwide deployment of Energy Storage Systems (ESS), with a target of 200 MW beyond 2025. Working closely with the industry and agencies to build test beds and standards to support the deployment, some of the collaborations include a research grant awarded under EMA's partnership with the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning.

It also outlined the “4 Switches” to guide and transform Singapore’s energy supply.

The first “switch” is using natural gas – the cleanest fossil fuel today – which comprises about 95% of Singapore’s electricity generation.

The second “switch” will be solar power, which the EMA says is the most promising renewable energy source. Singapore is on track to achieving 350 megawatt-peak (MWp) by 2020, it adds.

The third and fourth switches are to explore ways to tap into regional power grids in a cost-competitive way, and looking into low-carbon alternatives to reducing Singapore’s carbon footprint.

“Our energy story is a long-term effort, and everyone has a role to play in creating this story. To make this vision a reality, the government will work hand-in-hand with all stakeholders, including businesses, research communities, youths and young scientists, the Union of Power and Gas Employees and the public,” the EMA says.