The islanders do not draw energy from the national power grid, as it is too expensive to lay cables from mainland Singapore for such a low demand. -- ST PHOTO
PULAU Ubin could be powered by the sun, wind and even waste in the next one to two years, as Singapore moves to test a combination of clean energy technologies for adoption on the mainland.
The Energy Market Authority is calling on companies to propose plans for an intelligent system that can harness and regulate different power sources such as solar, wind and biofuels, while keeping power supply stable.
The Ubin grid is the latest addition to the government's push into clean energy. Last year, the EMA launched a $25 million fund for energy research, while in 2007, the National Research Foundation set aside $170 million to develop clean energy as a key growth sector.
Pulau Ubin, with its 100 inhabitants, small businesses, restaurants and training camps like Outward Bound Singapore, is viewed as the ideal test-bed for the so-called microgrid and its suppliers of clean energy.
The islanders do not draw energy from the national power grid, as it is too expensive to lay cables from mainland Singapore for such a low demand. Instead, people and businesses there have their own diesel generators.
Once the micro-grid is up, clean energy companies can then enter the picture to provide their power sources for the island.
Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.
