Apple to use 100% solar power in Singapore

Apple will use solar power to cover all of its Singapore operations from next year, as part of its target to use 100 per cent renewable energy globally.

Singapore solar company Sunseap Group will supply the California-based technology giant with energy generated by rooftop solar installations on more than 800 buildings across Singapore (pictured), according to a Sunseap statement on Monday.

The agreement means that Apple will become the first company in Singapore to be 100 per cent powered by renewables, according to the statement.

Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice-president of environment, policy and social initiatives, said: “Climate change is one of the great challenges of our time, and it’s going to take determination and innovation to make the much needed transition to a green economy.”

Jackson added: “This deal will cover all of our electricity needs in Singapore, including our 2,500-person corporate campus and new retail store. We’re thrilled to be working with Sunseap and the government of Singapore to pioneer new ways to bring solar energy to the country — and bring Apple even closer to our goal of powering our facilities around the world with 100 per cent renewable energy.”

Apple has been using renewable energy to power all its data centres since 2013 and all the firms operations in the U.S. run clean energy.

The company is also aiming for renewables to power all of its operations in China by 2016.

Sunseap is one of the biggest suppliers of solar power in Singapore and it will channel the surplus energy produced by its portfolio of 800 rooftop installations of up to 40 gigawatt-hours into Apple’s facilities through an off-site power purchase agreement.

The deal will also include an on-site rooftop solar project of 1.1 megawatt peak that Sunseap is installing on the rooftops of Apple’s main site in Ang Mo Kio under a solar leasing agreement.

As well as Apple’s main campus, the programme will also power their rumoured flagship retail store at Orchard Road’s Knightsbridge shopping mall, according to media reports.

Frank Phuan, managing director of Sunseap, said: “Sunseap is pleased to introduce new initiatives in Singapore’s energy sector to provide clean energy solutions to both international and local organizations. We expect a ripple effect for organizations in Singapore to incorporate sustainability practices in their businesses, especially for listed companies.”

Solar energy currently accounts for less than 5 per cent of Singapore’s total power but the industry has grown in recent years and the Singapore government aims to install 350MWp of solar capacity by 2020.