1. Offshore Wind Potential:
Singapore is surrounded by the South China Sea, which has limited wind resources compared to other regions suitable for offshore wind farms. The relatively calmer waters around Singapore present challenges for extracting sufficient energy from wind turbines.
2. Small-Scale Initiatives:
Despite these limitations, Singapore has undertaken small-scale wind energy initiatives. In 2012, the country installed its first wind turbine, a 2.4-megawatt turbine, on Pulau Semakau, an island south of the main island of Singapore. This turbine generates electricity for the island's water treatment plant and contributes to Singapore's renewable energy mix.
3. Research and Development:
Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR) has conducted research and development projects on wind energy technologies. These projects aim to improve the efficiency of wind turbines and explore the feasibility of wind energy in Singapore's unique environment.
4. Collaboration and Partnerships:
Singapore has also collaborated with international partners to gain expertise in wind energy development. For instance, Singapore's National University of Singapore (NUS) has partnered with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) to establish the Sino-Singapore International Joint Research Institute (SSI-JRI). This institute conducts research on offshore wind energy, among other renewable energy technologies.
5. Regional Cooperation:
Recognizing the potential for regional cooperation in wind energy, Singapore has engaged in discussions and collaborations with neighboring countries. In 2019, Singapore and Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore joint projects in renewable energy, including wind energy development.
While Singapore's wind energy initiatives are still relatively small-scale compared to other countries with more favorable wind resources, the country continues to explore and research ways to harness wind energy as part of its broader efforts to diversify its energy mix and transition towards more sustainable energy sources.
