Suntec City to join Marina Bay district cooling network by 2027

SINGAPORE – Suntec City will be the latest development linked to utility SP Group’s massive underground district cooling system in Marina Bay, expanding what is already the world’s largest such network, SP Group and Suntec City said on April 29.

It is among 38 developments. in the Central Business District which will be served by the Marina Bay district cooling network.

There are currently 24 developments connected to the network, including two hotels – Marina Bay Sands and The Westin Singapore (inside Asia Square Tower 2) – as well as IOI Central Boulevard Towers, The Sail @ Marina Bay and One Marina Boulevard, SP told The Strait times.

Under the agreement, SP will be responsible for operating Suntec City’s cooling system, which will be interconnected with the Marina Bay district’s cooling network through neighboring developments by 2027.

Suntec City’s cooling system is composed of a single central chiller plant with an installed capacity of approximately 20,000 tons of refrigerant (RT), which provides cooling services at its five office towers, retail shopping center and convention center, covering a total net leasable area of ​​more than 3.4 million square feet.

The inclusion of Suntec City will bring the total cooling capacity in operation and secured by SP across its district cooling networks in Singapore (including one in Tampines and another at STMicroelectronics’ TechnoPark in Ang Mo Kio) to 203,000 RT, which will make it the largest supplier of district cooling. Solutions in Singapore.

A district cooling network meets the cooling needs of buildings through centralized cooling plants, eliminating the need for network members to purchase their own plants. By sharing the cooling load and optimizing energy consumption, members reduce carbon emissions and save costs.

The expansion of the Suntec City chiller plant into the Marina Bay district cooling network will enable the delivery of energy-efficient cooling to more developments in the area, including Marina Center and Bugis, SP Group and Suntec City said.

The network is supported by two underground chiller plants at Marina Bay Sands and One Raffles Quay, and a satellite plant at One Marina Boulevard. An additional satellite plant is being built at George Street to support network expansion along the Singapore River waterfront area.

In 2022, ST reported that the network will serve 28 developments, including the upcoming IOI Central Boulevard Towers and NS Square on the Marina Bay floating platform, scheduled for completion in 2027.

This will help the Central Business District reduce its carbon emissions by 19,439 tonnes a year, which is equivalent to taking 17,672 cars off the roads.

In 2023, four more developments joined the network: Marina View, Clifford Centre, OUE Bayfront and The Fullerton Heritage, comprising The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Clifford Pier and Customs House. This will mean a total annual carbon emissions reduction of 25,000 tonnes for the district, which is equivalent to taking 22,700 cars off the roads.

Leveraging SP’s district cooling technology will allow Suntec City to reduce its carbon emissions by at least 10,400 tonnes over a 30-year operational period, equivalent to removing more than 315 cars from the roads annually, SP Group and Suntec City said.

Under the agreement, SP will oversee maintenance and future replacement of refrigeration equipment. This encompasses the rapid replacement of outdated electrical systems and a gradual transition to energy-efficient and environmentally friendly chillers, while accommodating any expansive cooling requirements from Suntec City.

Ivan Koh, chief executive of APM Property Management, the managing agent of Suntec City, said the partnership with SP Group is “a significant step in our sustainable energy solutions and… (a move) towards reducing carbon emissions.” carbon for a greener life. built environment in Singapore.”

S. Harsha, managing director of sustainable energy solutions at SP Group (Singapore), said: “As Singapore accelerates towards its net zero goals, sustainable energy innovations and solutions, such as district cooling networks, will be crucial to support urban and economic growth in a sustainable manner.”