Minister for Defence, Mr Chan Chun Sing (third from left), accompanied by MINDEF/SAF and DSTA senior leadership, unveiled the Sembawang Air Base Solar Farm Opening plaque.

MINDEF/SAF marks a major sustainability milestone with the opening of its first solar farm, boosting energy resilience and green efforts.

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) have achieved a key sustainability milestone with the completion of their first solar farm at Sembawang Air Base (SBAB). The opening ceremony was officiated by Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing today.

The solar farm strengthens MINDEF/SAF’s operational resilience while advancing its sustainability goals. Its completion marks the achievement of 50-megawatt peak (MWp) of solar deployment across MINDEF/SAF facilities to date, contributing to Singapore’s targets under the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

Group Photo of Mr Chan (fifth from left), MINDEF/SAF and DSTA senior leadership at the Sembawang Air Base Solar Farm.
The automated Chinook Wash Shed in operation.
Mr Chan received a brief on the Automated Chinook Wash Shed and witnessed a live demonstration of the automated aircraft washing process.
Mr Chan received briefs at the Solar Farm, Smart Utilities Metering System, and Eco-Asphalt Runway Repair Training sustainability booths.
Mr Chan delivered a speech at the Sembawang Air Base Solar Farm Opening Ceremony.

The SBAB solar farm currently includes 13.5MWp of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) systems deployed within the air base. By the end of 2026, an additional 4.5MWp of rooftop solar PV systems will be installed on buildings within SBAB. Once completed, the solar farm will have a total capacity of 18MWp, generating enough energy to power about 4,700 four-room HDB flats annually. This is expected to deliver potential cost savings of around $1.9 million per year.

During his visit, Mr Chan toured the solar farm and was briefed on other MINDEF/SAF sustainability initiatives. These included the Smart Utilities Metering System, the automated Chinook wash shed, and the use of Eco-Asphalt for runway repair training. Mr Chan highlighted that energy resilience is Singapore’s next major national challenge, requiring both sustainable energy generation and careful demand management. He also noted the need for the SAF to adapt its operations and training in response to climate change.

Beyond Sembawang Air Base, MINDEF/SAF plans to install about 13.5MWp of solar PV systems across other SAF camps and bases by end-2027. This will raise total solar deployment across all MINDEF/SAF facilities to approximately 68MWp.

Senior officials from MINDEF/SAF, the Defence Science and Technology Agency, members of the External Advisory Panel for Environmental Sustainability, and project committee members were also present at the opening ceremony.

Source: MINDEF