Construction for largest floating solar farm at Kranji Reservoir to start in 2025

The plant's operation will start in 2027 or 2028.

The building of Singapore’s largest floating solar farm located at the Kranji Reservoir is set to commence in 2025, according to environmental consultancy Environmental Resources Management (ERM).

In a report, ERM said the Floating Photovoltaic System (FPV) is expected to operate by 2027 or 2028 with a projected capacity of 141 megawatt-peak (MWp) or 112.5 megawatt alternating current.

Up to 21.5% of the 522-hectare Kranji Reservoir area will be covered by the project. FPV panel blocks will be used to form the FPV islands. 

“FPV island layout has been reduced and re-oriented to avoid observed relatively higher foraging area thus reducing the loss of bird foraging caused by the FPV,” ERM noted. 

In its assessment, ERM mostly concluded that the impact of the construction and operation of the FPV on various factors, such as surface water quality, biodiversity, air quality, and soil and groundwater, is “negligible” or “negligible to moderate.”

The FPV is seen to offset over 76,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, as well as nearly 2m tonnes of carbon emissions over its 25-year operating period.

The project is also seen to contribute to 7.1% of Singapore’s target of achieving a 2,000 megawatt peak of solar power generation by 2030, ERM said.