In brief
Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) has outlined a strategy to reach 4 GWp of solar capacity by 2035, focusing on identifying new installation sites, encouraging private landed homeowners to adopt rooftop and ground‑mounted solar, and preparing the grid to handle increased renewable flows. EMA will update its Solar Photovoltaic Roadmap and launch a digital portal to streamline homeowner access to installers and group purchasing. The initiative reflects Singapore’s pursuit of maximizing solar utility within its limited land constraints.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) announced plans to expand solar deployment across the city‑state, with a target of 4 gigawatt‑peak (GWp) of solar capacity by 2035. The move will involve identifying new installation sites, encouraging residential adoption in private landed homes, and upgrading the electricity grid to accommodate a higher influx of solar power.
The Solar Photovoltaic Roadmap
EMA will update its Solar Photovoltaic Roadmap, last revised in 2020, to outline medium‑to‑long‑term development pathways for solar energy across different surfaces, including rooftops, carports, and open land. The updated roadmap is intended to map out opportunities for deployment that best fit Singapore’s increasingly constrained land use policies.
Digital Portal for Landed Homeowners
An upcoming one‑stop digital portal is planned to provide homeowners with real‑time solar‑related information. The portal will link owners to qualified installers, facilitate group purchases, and offer guidance on the technical and regulatory aspects of installing solar systems on private residences.
Parallel to the rollout of new sites and tools, EMA will also assess the current electricity network’s capacity within landed residential estates. This assessment aims to outline necessary upgrades to the grid, ensuring that increased solar generation can be reliably integrated without compromising supply security.
Puah Kok Keong, chief executive of the Energy Market Authority, emphasized the urgency of the initiative in light of Singapore’s limited land. He said,
With Singapore's land constraints, we need to make the most of every opportunity to harness solar energy.
EMAs strategy sits within a broader context of the city‑state’s commitment to diversify its energy mix and reduce carbon emissions. The solar push is part of a multi‑year plan that also examines battery storage, grid resilience, and policy incentives designed to accelerate renewable adoption at both commercial and residential levels.
While the 4 GWp figure represents a significant increase from current levels, no comparative data from other countries or industry analysts is presented in the EMA briefing. The agency’s focus remains on actionable steps—site identification, digital facilitation, and network readiness—to ensure that Singapore’s solar ambitions can be realized within the practical constraints of urban land use.
As the next phases of the roadmap are rolled out, stakeholders will likely monitor the effectiveness of the digital portal and grid upgrades. The ultimate goal remains clear: to maximize solar utilisation in an environment where land is at a premium.
