According to the International Energy Agency, Asia’s renewable energy additions and electricity consumption will outpace the rest of the world. By 2030, 40% of global capacity additions will come from Asia, with solar playing a central role. There is also structural opportunity in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with more countries committing to net-zero targets by 2050.

To maximise this opportunity and achieve the climate targets, EDP Renewables (EDPR) is making significant strides in the development and expansion of Solar Distributed Generation (DG) projects, playing a vital role in advancing the adoption of solar energy across the region.

In the recently presented Business Plan 23-26, EDPR aims to add 1.5 GWp and reach 2.4 GWp installed capacity by 2026, ramping up annual capacity additions with an average of 375 MW, accelerating renewables across a handful of markets. This includes behind the meter DG projects that provide renewable energy to businesses and governments to greenify the grid.

Yet, while the region presents immense potential for solar energy deployment, several challenges hinder the widespread adoption of solar across APAC:

Land Constraints: Many countries in APAC, particularly densely populated urban centres such as Singapore, face limited land availability for large-scale solar installations.

Policy and Regulatory Barriers: Inconsistent or ambiguous policy frameworks and regulations related to solar energy deployment can create uncertainties for investors and developers. Policy support and long-term incentives are essential to promote confidence and attract investment in the solar sector.

Infrastructure and Market Access: In underdeveloped regions, lack of infrastructure, such as reliable roads and transmission lines, can impede the expansion of solar energy. Ensuring market access and reliable transportation of solar equipment are essential for project viability

EDPR in APAC aims to add 1.5 GWp and reach 2.4 GWp installed capacity by 2026.

To overcome these challenges, innovation in solar technology is driving further efficiency improvements and cost reductions. These also envision placing solar in different environments to meet the varied conditions of each region. Some examples of solar innovations include:

Modular Containerised Solar Solutions: In Singapore, we have developed a unique modular containerised solar photovoltaic (PV) solution, which allows for extremely quick deployment and dismantling of the solar panels. The panels are linked up within the container and are rolled out via a roller system at site for deployment. This greatly reduces the resources needed as compared to conventional ground[1]mounted solar PV systems. This solution is especially useful for areas that require temporary solar energy generation or where quick deployment and dismantling are paramount.

Offshore Floating Solar: In March 2021, we have also developed one of the world’s largest offshore floating solar farms along the straits of Johor, between Singapore and Malaysia. The project has a capacity size of 5 MWp, generates about 6 GWh of renewable energy annually, and is deployed in open seawater. This project was more challenging to construct as compared to ground-mounted solar installations due to the unpredictable nature of open sea, the need to avoid shipping routes and the presence of barnacles. Marine expertise was also required for the robust mooring installation and system design that was required to keep the platform steady amidst waves and currents.