When discussing renewable energy in Singapore, solar power often dominates the conversation. While solar has indeed made remarkable progress in the city-state, another renewable resource has been largely overlooked: wind energy. Despite its potential challenges, wind power could play a significant role in Singapore's renewable energy mix, complementing solar and helping the nation achieve its sustainability goals.
Wind Energy Potential in Singapore
At first glance, Singapore might not seem ideal for wind energy. The country's average wind speed is relatively low, typically around 2-3 meters per second (m/s), well below the traditional threshold of 4-5 m/s considered economically viable for conventional wind turbines. However, this perspective is changing rapidly due to technological advances and innovative approaches that could make wind energy feasible even in low-wind regions like Singapore.
Singapore's Wind Resource at a Glance
- Average wind speed: 2-3 m/s at 10m height
- Higher wind speeds offshore: 3-4 m/s
- Higher wind speeds at greater heights: 4-5 m/s at 100m+
- Monsoon seasons provide periods of higher wind speeds
- Coastal areas experience sea breezes that can enhance wind resources
Recent studies conducted by the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) and the Energy Research Institute at Nanyang Technological University (ERI@N) have identified several areas with higher wind speeds, particularly in the coastal regions and at heights above 50 meters. These "wind hotspots" include the waters around Jurong Island, the southeastern coast near Changi, and certain elevated areas in the western part of Singapore.
Innovative Wind Technologies for Urban and Low-Wind Environments
Traditional large-scale wind turbines may not be suitable for Singapore due to space constraints and relatively low wind speeds. However, several innovative wind technologies are emerging that could be viable in Singapore's unique context:
1. Low Wind Speed Turbines
Wind turbine manufacturers have been developing models specifically designed to generate electricity at lower wind speeds. These turbines typically feature larger rotor diameters relative to their generator capacity, allowing them to capture more energy even in light wind conditions. Some newer models can start generating power at wind speeds as low as 2 m/s.
2. Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs)
Unlike conventional horizontal axis wind turbines, VAWTs can capture wind from any direction without needing to reorient themselves. This makes them particularly suitable for urban environments where wind directions are more variable due to surrounding buildings. Their compact design also allows for installation on rooftops and between buildings, making them a potential solution for space-constrained Singapore.
Several pilot projects using VAWTs have been implemented in Singapore, including installations at Nanyang Technological University and the CleanTech One building in Jurong Innovation District. These projects are providing valuable data on the performance and viability of VAWTs in Singapore's climate.
3. Micro Wind Turbines
Micro wind turbines, typically ranging from 0.5 kW to 10 kW in capacity, can be installed on buildings, street lamps, and other urban infrastructure. While each individual turbine generates relatively small amounts of electricity, their distributed nature means they can collectively contribute meaningful amounts of clean energy without requiring dedicated land space.
These smaller turbines are also being integrated with solar panels in hybrid systems that can provide more consistent renewable energy generation throughout the day and night.
4. Building-Integrated Wind Turbines
Architectural designs are increasingly incorporating wind turbines directly into building structures. Examples include turbines placed between the twin towers of a building or within specially designed wind tunnels created by the building's shape. Such designs can accelerate wind speed through the Venturi effect, improving turbine efficiency even in areas with generally low wind speeds.
"The challenge with wind energy in Singapore isn't just about wind speeds—it's about innovating and optimizing wind technologies for our specific urban context. We're seeing promising results from building-integrated solutions and hybrid systems that leverage our existing infrastructure."
- Dr. James Koh, Wind Energy Researcher, National University of Singapore
Offshore Wind Potential
While land-based wind energy faces significant constraints in Singapore, offshore wind presents a more promising opportunity. Singapore's territorial waters cover approximately 750 square kilometers, providing potential space for offshore wind installations without competing with other land uses.
Offshore wind speeds are typically higher and more consistent than those on land. Preliminary assessments suggest that certain areas in Singapore's territorial waters could have average wind speeds of 3-4 m/s, approaching the threshold for economic viability with modern wind turbines.
Fixed-Foundation Offshore Wind
Traditional offshore wind turbines use fixed foundations anchored to the seabed, typically in waters less than 50 meters deep. Singapore's shallow coastal waters could accommodate such installations, particularly in areas south of the mainland.
The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has initiated feasibility studies for fixed-foundation offshore wind farms in selected areas, with results expected to inform future deployment decisions.
Floating Offshore Wind
For deeper waters, floating wind turbines offer a promising solution. These systems are anchored to the seabed with mooring lines but float on the surface, allowing deployment in deeper waters where wind resources may be better.
The technology is still maturing but has advanced significantly in recent years, with commercial-scale floating wind farms operating in countries like Scotland and Portugal.
Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has expressed interest in exploring multi-use offshore platforms that could combine wind energy with other functions such as aquaculture, desalination, or even shipping and logistics operations. Such integrated approaches could enhance the economic viability of offshore wind projects.
Hybrid Systems: Wind + Solar + Storage
Perhaps the most promising approach for wind energy in Singapore involves hybrid systems that combine wind turbines with solar PV and energy storage. Such integrated systems offer several advantages:
- Complementary Generation Profiles: Wind and solar often have complementary generation patterns—solar produces during daylight hours, while wind may be stronger at night or during cloudy conditions.
- Space Efficiency: Wind turbines can be placed above or between solar panels, maximizing energy generation per unit of land or sea area.
- Shared Infrastructure: Hybrid systems can share electrical infrastructure, reducing overall system costs.
- Enhanced Reliability: The combination of multiple generation sources with storage provides more reliable power output.
Several pilot projects exploring wind-solar hybrid systems are underway in Singapore, including a notable installation at Pulau Semakau as part of the Renewable Energy Integration Demonstrator-Singapore (REIDS) initiative. This project combines vertical axis wind turbines with solar panels and various storage technologies to provide insights into optimizing hybrid renewable systems for tropical island environments.
Case Study: Jurong Island Wind-Solar Hybrid System
One of the most promising wind energy projects in Singapore is the Jurong Island Wind-Solar Hybrid System, a collaboration between Chiass Inc and a major petrochemical company. The system includes:
- 20 vertical axis wind turbines (5 kW each) installed on building rooftops
- 500 kW of solar PV panels covering available roof space
- 200 kWh battery storage system
- Smart energy management system that optimizes generation and storage
The project has been operational since 2022 and has demonstrated that even in Singapore's relatively low wind conditions, the wind turbines contribute approximately 15% of the total system's energy production, with the remainder coming from solar. More importantly, the wind turbines generate electricity during different times than the solar panels, reducing the required battery capacity and improving overall system economics.
Data from the project shows that during monsoon seasons (December to March and June to September), wind contribution increases to as much as 25% of total generation, highlighting the complementary nature of wind and solar resources in Singapore's climate.
Challenges and Limitations
Despite its potential, wind energy in Singapore faces several significant challenges:
Technical Challenges
The relatively low and variable wind speeds in Singapore remain a fundamental technical challenge. While newer turbine designs can operate at lower wind speeds, their energy output is still substantially less than what would be achieved in windier locations, affecting economic viability.
Additionally, Singapore's tropical climate presents challenges related to humidity, lightning, and occasional severe weather events, all of which can impact turbine performance and maintenance requirements.
Space Constraints
Large-scale wind farms require significant space, which is at a premium in Singapore. Even offshore, competing uses for sea space (shipping lanes, military training areas, marine conservation zones) limit the areas available for wind energy development.
Environmental and Social Considerations
Wind turbines can impact local wildlife, particularly birds and bats. In Singapore's context, with its rich urban biodiversity and position on important bird migration routes, careful environmental impact assessments would be necessary.
Visual impact is another consideration, especially for a densely populated city-state where scenic views are valued. Offshore wind farms visible from the coast may face public resistance.
Economic Viability
The economics of wind energy in Singapore remain challenging. With lower wind speeds, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) from wind is currently higher than from solar PV. However, as part of a hybrid system and with continued technological improvements, wind could reach economic parity, especially when considering its complementary generation profile to solar.
Policy Support and Future Outlook
For wind energy to play a meaningful role in Singapore's renewable energy transition, supportive policies will be essential. The government has demonstrated openness to exploring wind energy as part of the nation's energy mix, but specific policy mechanisms to support wind development are still limited.
Potential policy measures that could accelerate wind energy adoption include:
- Research & Development Funding: Continued investment in R&D for low-wind turbine technologies and hybrid systems
- Pilot Project Incentives: Financial support for demonstration projects to establish local performance data
- Enhanced Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): Premium prices for wind-generated RECs to recognize their complementary generation profile
- Streamlined Permitting: Simplified approval processes for wind installations, particularly for smaller systems
- Building Integration Requirements: Incentives or requirements for integrating wind energy into new high-rise developments
Conclusion: A Complementary Role for Wind in Singapore's Energy Future
While wind energy may never become the dominant renewable source in Singapore like it has in countries such as Denmark or Scotland, it can play a valuable complementary role alongside solar power. By focusing on innovative turbine designs, building integration, offshore deployment, and hybrid systems, Singapore can harness its limited but useful wind resources.
The synergies between wind and solar—particularly their different generation profiles—make the combination particularly attractive for a land-constrained nation seeking to maximize renewable energy production. As technology continues to improve and costs decline, wind energy's contribution to Singapore's clean energy transition is likely to grow.
At Chiass Inc, we believe in a diversified approach to renewable energy, leveraging the unique advantages of different technologies. Our expertise in both solar and wind energy allows us to design optimized hybrid systems tailored to Singapore's specific conditions. Contact us to learn more about how wind energy might be incorporated into your renewable energy strategy.