Singapore’s Kusu Island Achieves Solar-Powered Self-Sufficiency

Kusu Island, renowned for the Da Bo Gong Temple and three Malay keramat, has achieved complete energy self-sufficiency by harnessing solar power for water and electricity, setting a model for southern islands like Pulau Hantu.

The island’s solar photovoltaic (PV) and desalination systems, operational since Q4 2022, successfully met the demand during the annual pilgrimage season, accommodating a record-breaking 22,523 visitors in October 2023.

In two 40-foot containers, backup batteries ensure a two-day power supply, addressing contingencies like cloudy weather or rain hindering solar panel electricity production.

Managed by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), Kusu Island spans 780 sq m, with solar panels generating 140 kilowatt peak (kWp) or 230 megawatt-hours (MWh), sufficient to power 52 four-room HDB flats annually. The energy powers communal facilities, including toilets, shower areas, and a seasonal food center.

Moreover, the electricity supports a high-capacity desalination plant producing 20,000 liters daily, meeting the needs of 140 people. The desalinated water is in the final stages of certification for drinking.

Previously, water and diesel transportation to the island by boat incurred exorbitant costs, leading to the development of the renewable energy project in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in 2019.

The desalination plant, remotely monitored from NTU’s Smart Campus, ensures proactive measures, such as shutting off water sources in case of contamination, preserving the island’s ecosystem. To pay homage to Kusu Island’s legacy, the solar PV panels were creatively arranged in a tortoise shape within a shallow lagoon in front of the temple.