Singapore Raises 2030 Solar Target to 3 GW

Singapore has raised its 2030 solar deployment target from 2 GW to 3 GW, following the early achievement of its previous goal in 2025. The additional 1 GW reflects the country’s accelerated push toward a cleaner and more resilient energy system. 

The announcement came from the Energy Market Authority (EMA), which confirmed plans to further expand solar deployment across rooftops, land, and water surfaces. The government is also exploring new applications, including installing solar panels on open-air carpark structures. 

Currently, more than 80% of Singapore’s solar capacity comes from rooftop installations, supported by national programs such as SolarNova for public buildings and housing, as well as SolarRoof and SolarLand targeting industrial rooftops and idle land. 

EMA noted that declining module costs have shortened the payback period for residential solar systems to around five years. System owners can also generate additional income by selling renewable energy certificates. 

EMA CEO Puah Kok Keong highlighted that Singapore is already one of the most solar-dense cities globally. He emphasized that the new target underscores the country’s commitment to maximizing solar deployment while advancing other low-carbon energy pathways. 

According to analysis by GlobalData, Singapore is on track to reach 3.2 GW of solar capacity by the end of this decade and could exceed 5 GW by 2034. 

Despite these advances, Singapore’s power system remains heavily reliant on natural gas, which accounts for about 95% of electricity generation. EMA estimates that solar energy may supply at most around 10% of the country’s total energy needs by 2050, due to land and resource constraints. 

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong reiterated that while local solar deployment will be maximized, Singapore will also pursue other decarbonization strategies. These include adopting lower-carbon gas technologies and importing clean electricity from neighboring countries. 

Recent regional initiatives support this strategy. Singapore and Indonesia have announced plans to develop a solar manufacturing industry in Indonesia’s Riau Islands, alongside a large-scale solar-plus-storage project involving Equator Renewables Asia and CRE International. The project includes 900 MW of solar and 1.2 GWh of energy storage, with a portion of electricity exported to Singapore. 

In addition, Singapore has conditionally approved the import of 1 GW of hydropower from Malaysia, further diversifying its clean energy mix. 

Overall, Singapore’s upgraded solar target signals stronger ambition, but also highlights the structural limits of domestic renewable energy, reinforcing the need for regional cooperation and diversified low-carbon solutions.