ESC conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for PUB’s installation of floating photovoltaic (FPV) solar panels at Lower Seletar Reservoir — advancing Singapore’s renewable energy ambitions while safeguarding the ecological health of the reservoir system.
About the Project
PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, is deploying a large-scale floating photovoltaic (FPV) solar system at Lower Seletar Reservoir. The proposed installation will span approximately 115 hectares — covering 36% of the reservoir’s surface — and generate a minimum of 130 megawatt-peak (MWp) of electricity upon completion in 2029.
At this scale, the project will contribute approximately 6.5% of Singapore’s 2 GWp solar capacity target by 2030, forming a significant pillar of the Singapore Green Plan. It will be one of the largest inland floating solar installations in Southeast Asia.
The site presents a distinctive challenge: Lower Seletar Reservoir serves as a key ecological corridor connecting the Central Catchment Nature Reserve — Singapore’s largest — to the northern coastal habitats of Simpang-Khatib Bongsu and Coney Island. Given the sensitive nature of freshwater ecosystems and the site’s ecological role, a comprehensive EIA was required to evaluate potential effects on water quality, aquatic biodiversity, and overall reservoir management.
Building on its prior experience conducting the EIA for Tengeh Reservoir — Singapore’s first large-scale floating solar farm — ESC was appointed by PUB to lead this assessment, applying proven methodologies to ensure robust, science-based insights.
Our Approach
ESC’s scope of work centred on three core areas, addressing potential impacts across the pre-construction, construction, and long-term operational phases of the project:
- Water modelling studies: ESC conducted detailed water modelling to assess the potential impacts of the FPV installation on reservoir water quality — including thermal effects, dissolved oxygen levels, and hydrodynamic changes — to verify that impacts would remain within acceptable limits throughout the project lifecycle.
- Aquatic biodiversity assessment: ESC evaluated the implications of the FPV system for aquatic biodiversity, integrating findings from both modelling outputs and on-site ecological assessments. This included analysis of fish species composition, aquatic flora, and the broader freshwater ecosystem of the reservoir.
- Historical biodiversity survey integration: ESC reviewed and incorporated historical biodiversity survey reports — covering birds, otters, and terrestrial fauna in and around the reservoir — into the impact analysis, ensuring the assessment reflected long-term ecological trends and the site’s role as a wildlife movement corridor.
The EIA process also involved engagement with nature groups and relevant government agencies, supporting transparent stakeholder consultation in line with PUB’s public reporting approach. In December 2025, PUB published the resulting 384-page EIA report — prepared by ESC — for public review, alongside a non-technical summary to ensure accessibility for a broader audience.
The report’s findings informed direct adjustments to the FPV layout, including the introduction of buffer zones of up to 150 metres from ecologically sensitive shorelines, reorientation of panels away from high bird-usage areas, and reconfiguration of the installation into smaller floating islands with navigation corridors — preserving both ecological connectivity and recreational access to the reservoir park.
Outcome
The EIA provided PUB with a science-based understanding of potential environmental risks and mitigation measures, enabling confident progress toward government approval for one of Singapore’s most significant renewable energy projects.
By strengthening stakeholder confidence through transparent engagement with nature groups and government agencies, the process helped demonstrate that large-scale floating solar can be implemented sustainably — supporting the responsible deployment of solar technology while safeguarding reservoir ecosystems.
The project contributes directly to Singapore’s clean energy transition, facilitating renewable energy deployment in harmony with environmental protection. It adds to ESC’s track record of advising and assisting renewable energy developers across Asia, having supported the installation of more than 2.5 GW of solar and wind power across the region.
Planning a renewable energy or infrastructure project that requires environmental permitting? ESC has deep expertise in EIA and environmental permitting across Singapore and the wider APAC region.
Speak to our environmental consultant to find out how we can support your project from early-stage assessment through to approval.