Step Up, Power Down
As the global energy situation remains uncertain, let’s see how our Town Council’s initiatives – both long-running and new – keep our town running efficiently.
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At Tanjong Pagar Town Council (TPTC), sustainability has always been a key priority as we manage and maintain our estates. With global energy challenges continuing to evolve, the importance of reducing consumption and conserving resources has only grown.
Over the years, we have implemented a range of initiatives aimed at improving energy efficiency in our estates’ operations – ensuring that our town doesn’t just run smoothly, but also sustainably.
Here are the ways in which we are making a difference.
Smarter, greener buildings
One of our key efforts lies in optimising energy use at common areas in residential blocks and facilities.
Under the SolarNova programme, solar panels have been installed on the rooftops of selected HDB blocks. These panels harness sunlight to power essential services such as lifts, internal lighting, and water pumps. Since April 2024, installations have been completed at 198 blocks, and we are working closely with HDB to progressively expand this across all selected blocks by 2030.
We are also upgrading lighting across common areas by replacing conventional fixtures with energy-efficient LED lights. Installation work at the fourth batch of 12 blocks is on track for completion by July 2026.
In collaboration with HDB, we have implemented Elevator Energy Regeneration Systems (EERS) across 492 lifts to date. This system recovers kinetic energy generated during lift movement and reuses it, achieving energy savings of up to 20%.
We are progressively introducing the use of Cool Coatings paint on building facades in our estate under the Repairs & Redecoration (R&R) programme. This innovation can reduce ambient temperatures by up to 2°C, helping to lower the energy required for cooling within residential units.
Additional operational adjustments have also been made. Water pumps are now timed to operate during the day where possible, allowing them to utilise solar-generated energy. This reduces the need for additional pumping at night using grid electricity.
At our markets and hawker centres, we are reviewing the operating hours of fans and lighting systems, while also introducing Smart Lighting Systems that automatically adjust brightness based on available daylight—ensuring safety and visibility while minimising energy use.
To further optimise costs and efficiency, hawker centres have also been included under the Town Council’s contestable energy contracts, allowing us to secure more competitive energy rates.
Rethinking energy use in outdoor spaces
Beyond buildings, we have taken a closer look at how energy is used in outdoor areas across our estates.
Lighting at walkways and precinct markets is being carefully reviewed, with adjustments made to reduce usage after midnight while maintaining sufficient illumination for safety.
At multi-purpose halls (MPHs), timers have been installed to reduce lighting levels by 50% during quieter periods, instead of keeping it fully lit throughout the night.
Leading by example
Our commitment to sustainability also extends to our own workplace.
Following a recent office revamp, we took the opportunity to introduce more energy-efficient equipment and systems. Air-conditioning units, water dispensers, and appliances have been selected based on their ENERGY STAR certification, ensuring higher efficiency and lower energy consumption.
Fluorescent lighting has been replaced with LED alternatives, and older desktop computers have been upgraded to ENERGY STAR 8.0-certified laptops, which use up to 46% less energy.
Motion sensor lights have been installed in toilets, and office lighting is reduced to 50% during lunch hours—small changes that collectively contribute to meaningful energy savings.
A shared responsibility
Sustainability is a continuous journey. While TPTC will continue to explore new ways to operate more efficiently, meaningful progress also depends on the collective efforts of our residents.
Together, through small but consistent actions, we can build a greener, more sustainable Tanjong Pagar for generations to come.
