. Why is solar deployment criticalfor the Asia-Pacific region, and how is TotalEnergies ENEOS contributing to this transition?
Asia is a dynamic region with a unique potential, driven by robust economic growth, rising populations, and its role as a global hub for manufacturing and industry. Renewable energy plays a critical role in meeting the rising energy demands while strengthening resilience for long-term growth.
At TotalEnergies, our ambition is to support the region’s energy transition and achieve Net Zero by 2050, together with society. Our approach is built on two key pillars: low-emission oil and gas for energy security and integrated power solutions, primarily through renewables like solar.
Solar power is emerging as a game-changer for Asia-Pacific. Not only does it enhance energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, but it is also becoming increasingly cost-competitive. According to , the global weighted average cost of electricity from utility-scale solar PV fell by 89% between 2010 and 2022, with costs continuing to decline across APAC. By 2030, renewables are set to make up of the power-generation mix in most Asia-Pacific markets, with the IEA anticipating that APAC renewables investments made from 2022 through 2030 will hit .
Singapore is embracing solar energy as a key driver of its Green Plan 2030, with the Energy Market Authority (EMA) projecting solar to meet . Neighbouring countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines are also scaling up solar, making it one of the most promising renewable energy sources in the region.
TotalEnergies ENEOS is committed to accelerating this transition. It currently has over 250 MWp of operating solar assets in 9 countries and serves more than 190 B2B customers across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, including Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Japan, Cambodia, and South Korea. Our robust technical and engineering expertise underscores our ability to deliver high-quality site-specific projects that help industries reduce their Scope 1 and 2 emissions by delivering renewable energy directly to their facilities.
- How does this project differ from other solar installations in terms of scale, design, or strategic importance in Singapore?
This 2.2 MWp ground-mounted solar PV system positions Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC) as the first golf course in Singapore to be primarily powered by onsite ground-mounted solar energy. It is also TotalEnergies ENEOS’s first ground-mounted PV installation in Singapore.
This PV system will bring significant cost savings for TMCC while helping to reduce its carbon footprint by approximately 1,300 tons of CO2 emissions annually – equivalent to planting around 20,000 trees. The system was customized and engineered to maximize power generation despite site-specific constraints, ensuring optimal efficiency. This project demonstrates our commitment to innovation and delivering customer-centric energy solutions by optimizing land usage.
Moreover, this project aligns with our broader ambition to develop 2 GW of decentralized solar capacity across APAC. It showcases the technical expertise in deploying renewable energy solutions across diverse industries and strengthens its role as a key contributor to the region’s clean energy transition.
- What specific challenges did TotalEnergies encounter during the design and construction phases, and how were they addressed?
The project required innovative solutions to ensure optimal performance and timely delivery. The lack of a viable rooftop for solar installation necessitated a customized ground-mounted system to maximize power generation within the site’s constraints.
The longer-than-normal distance between the PV modules and the connecting point—700 meters—posed a risk of power losses. To mitigate this, an innovative design incorporating 700m-long, 300 sq.mm DC transmission cables was implemented. This solution optimized energy transmission efficiency while ensuring the system met performance requirements.
Due to the wet season during late 2024 and hard soil conditions at the installation site, the project required adaptive strategies. Close collaboration with professional partners allowed the team to deploy feasible solutions for land preparation and construction, ensuring the project remained on track.
Despite these challenges, the project was successfully and safely completed within five months, two months ahead of schedule – demonstrating a strong ability to adapt to site-specific constraints while delivering a high-performance system.
- What long-term benefits does TMCC stand to gain from this implementation?
Under the long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the ground-mounted solar PV system was fully funded, installed, and operated by TotalEnergies ENEOS, allowing TMCC to benefit from a no-CAPEX model with no upfront investment.
The project is designed to provide substantial and consistent annual energy savings for TMCC over the next decades. By leveraging the cost efficiencies of renewable electricity, TMCC will not only lower operational energy expenses but also achieve significant long-term savings. Additionally, the system reduces reliance on fluctuating electricity prices, ensuring greater financial stability. These savings can be redirected into other areas of operations, enhancing overall efficiency while supporting long-term sustainability goals.
Beyond cost savings, any excess solar energy generated can be sold back to the grid, contributing to Singapore’s clean energy transition and creating an additional revenue stream.
- How does this project align with TotalEnergies ENEOS’ broader solar strategy across APAC?
This project aligns with the broader strategy of scaling renewable energy deployment across Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region, with a strong focus on distributed solar solutions. By enabling businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve long-term energy cost savings, the project reinforces the commitment to accelerating solar adoption across key industries.
With over 250 MWp of operating solar assets across nine countries, serving more than 190 B2B commercial customers, the foundation is in place to expand renewable energy offerings further. This growth complements TotalEnergies’ larger renewable energy strategy, which aims to drive sustainable power generation at scale.
The expertise in designing, financing, building, and managing renewable energy projects ensures that each system meets the highest industry and safety standards. This positions solar solutions as an attractive decarbonization pathway for sectors with high energy demand, such as steel, chemicals, and manufacturing.
With a multi-technology approach, a strong focus on cost efficiency, and a commitment to delivering sustainable outcomes, the project contributes to the broader goal of accelerating solar energy momentum across APAC, supporting businesses in their transition towards a Net-Zero future.
- What lessons learned from this project can support future solar collaborations across industries and markets in the region?
This project reinforces our ability to deliver tailored, high-impact solar projects that meet both commercial and environmental objectives, especially in land-scare environments like Singapore. Through this project, we want to share three key takeaways that can help accelerate the adoption of solar energy in urban and commercial settings:
- Adaptability to Diverse Energy Needs: One key takeaway is the ability to customize renewable energy solutions for different operational environments. Whether for a golf club, manufacturing facility, or commercial complex, the flexibility to design site-specific solar installations while ensuring minimal operational disruptions makes clean energy adoption more accessible across industries.
- Scalability: The project highlights the scalability of solar solutions, making them suitable for businesses with similar energy consumption patterns. Experience working with hotels, large retail chains, and heavy carbon-intensive industries has demonstrated how solar energy can significantly reduce costs and grid reliance, making it a viable solution for businesses of all sizes.
- Value of strong partnerships: A key success factor is the strength of strategic joint ventures between global and regional energy leaders. These partnerships position solar providers as trusted energy transition partners, offering engineering excellence, financial expertise, and long-term sustainability support. For companies aiming to meet net-zero commitments without major upfront investments, having a reliable partner with a long-term vision is crucial.
We are committed to supporting customers in their decarbonization journey across a wide range of industries, including steel, chemicals, and manufacturing sectors such as food & beverages, apparel, and pulp & paper. By providing customized solar solutions tailored to specific operational needs, we ensure that businesses can seamlessly integrate renewable energy into their sustainability strategies.
