Solar power at Marina Barrage

Field of Power
Teh Jen Lee, The New Paper 29 Jun 08;

Largest solar panel system here to power Marina Barrage gallery and control room
WITH oil prices skyrocketing, it is good to know that the $226-million Marina Barrage project is not only about water, it will also showcase the use of solar energy.

WITH oil prices skyrocketing, it is good to know that the $226-million Marina Barrage project is not only about water, it will also showcase the use of solar energy.

A solar park consisting of 405 panels covering an area of 1,200sq m (roughly the size of an Olympic-sized swimming pool) will help to power the Barrage's exhibition gallery and control room.

When completed, it will be the largest solar panel system at a single site in Singapore.

Delegates from the Singapore International Water Week who were taken on a tour of the Barrage yesterday heard about this and other environmentally sustainable technologies on-site.

The solar energy system is part of the Clean Energy Research & Testbedding (Cert) Programme, a $17m inter-agency effort launched last year that provides opportunities for firms to try out green applications using government buildings and facilities.

The 17 delegates heard how the Marina Barrage will bring about three benefits, namely water supply, flood control and lifestyle attraction.

They found different aspects of the megaproject commendable.

Miss Jill Fagan, an Australian PhD student from Melbourne University who is studying innovations in water systems, praised the attitude of PUB towards new ideas and technology.

She said: 'In Australia, we need to be more open to new ideas. I also admire the integration of different institutions here (in managing water).'

Mr Al Balce, vice-president of project development for a Philippines copper mining company, was impressed by the detailed planning that went into the Barrage.

He said: 'They've thought of everything. It's important to have a master plan so that when you execute, it will be a complete project.

'I also see very good people being trained and they are young so they can stay for longer and improve this place.'

Mr Hamad Al-Mahrooqi, project manager for produced water treatment for Petroleum Development Oman, said: 'I like how this project is not only technical, but it brings about greening of the area as well. It serves the city and it serves the community.'

It wasn't just the Barrage itself that left a deep impression.

The exhibition gallery, showcasing environment sustainability in Singapore, inspired Dr Sherifat Balogun, an assistant general manager from a Nigerian water corporation.

She said: 'We don't need a Barrage in my country, but the gallery is very imaginative and beautiful.'