Singapore has been recognised for years as one of the world’s top three smart cities. The city-state constantly experiments with urban development projects, built around the principles of sustainability and innovation. The country is investing in sustainable infrastructure, especially the railway network, to move towards its Green Plan 2030. To help the Land Transport Authority (LTA), transport operators are continuously embedding sustainability considerations to provide a safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation system. Recently, EDPR Sunseap and SMRT Trains, a leading transport operator in Singapore, announced expanded their agreement to use solar energy to power SMRT’s Bishan Depot.

EDRP and SMRT Collaboration for Sustainability

This is the second phase of a six-year collaboration between EDPR Sunseap and SMRT Trains. EDPR will help SMRT to install a photovoltaic (PV) system with a capacity of 1.56-megawatt peak (MWp) on its rooftops by next year. The solar energy will be used to power all non-train operations. These operations include commercial activities at stations and concessions; maintenance activities at workshops, depots, and service buildings; and technical railway operations, such as signalling, traffic control, and the lighting of infrastructure.

Combined with the first phase, the solar PV system will have a capacity of 2.56MWp, equivalent to powering 700 four-room public housing flats, and will avoid 1,224 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year.

SMRT said this is a step towards its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Commenting on the same, SMRT CEO, Ngien Hoon Ping, said: “As the major rail operator in Singapore, we provide the greenest and most sustainable mode of public commute. We are committed to halving our 2010 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and in the longer term, to achieve Net Zero by 2050 to support Singapore’s climate ambition.”

SMRT CEO further added: “Sustainability is part of our business & operations, and we aim to secure a greener and more sustainable environment for future generations.”

The partnership between SMRT Trains and EDPR Sunseap – then Sunseap Leasing – began in 2016. The two companies partnered to power Bishan Depot with 10,000 sqm of solar panels as part of the initial agreement.

SMRT has also installed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at Tuas West Depot (2017) and Mandai Depot (2017) to meet the depots’ operational energy needs. By FY2024, SMRT plans to increase the solar energy output in Bishan Depot by 150%.

Conclusion

Public transport is a key element in the fight against climate change. With long-term partnerships like those between SMRT and EDPR can help Singapore to drive innovative actionable solutions and make the railway network sustainable.