Singapore-based Phoenix Solar, the Asia Pacific unit of Germany’s Phoenix Solar AG, yesterday announced that it has established a regional headquarters in Singapore.
Its “regional headquarters status” was awarded by the Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) and is the Group’s first regional headquarters operation outside Germany.
Managing director of Phoenix Solar Singapore Christophe Inglin said that the company chose Singapore for its connectivity in the region, capable workforce, strong infrastructure and stable political climate.
“It also has extensive academic and R&D capabilities, creating platforms for innovation and opportunities to test creative new concepts in the market,” he said.
Speaking at a ceremony at Marina Bay Sands yesterday, EDB assistant managing director Yeoh Keat Chuan said Phoenix Solar’s decision to base its headquarters in Singapore “is a strong vote of confidence to Singapore’s attractiveness as an energy hub for the region,” he said.
Experts have projected that the solar photovoltaic (PV) market in Asia will experience double-digit growth rates over the coming decade. This will be driven mainly by increasing energy demand and economic growth, high consumer and political awareness of PV, coupled with proactive government policies.
Both Malaysia and the Philippines are in the process of implementing feed-in tariffs, which guarantee favourable prices for electricity fed into electricity grids from decentralised renewable energy producers.
Closer to home, Mr Inglin told Eco-Business that while Singapore does not support feed-in tariffs, it has recently amended its policy to allow not only household solar electricity, but also excess electricity from commercial properties to be sold to the grid. As a result, he said, businesses with solar installations can benefit from the solar energy produced on weekends when the electricity is not needed on site.
Solar companies will also benefit from Singapore’s green building certification scheme, which Mr Inglin said was gathering steam.
Buildings developers receive higher ratings when they incorporate renewable energy into projects. Higher ratings can lead to perks such as greater floor allowances, which mean that developers can increase the amount of profitable space within a project.
Phoenix Solar, which also celebrated its fifth year in Singapore yesterday as part of the annual Singapore International Energy Week, said the company’s regional growth is on track and “in tandem with Asian growth trends”.
It recently completed a 207 kilowatts peak (kWp) car park solar canopy in the Philippines. It is also constructing two power plants in Thailand of 9.7 megawatts peak (MWp) and 6.2 MWp, and has acquired three further projects amounting to 7.3 MWp in India. In India alone, the PV market grew 57 per cent in 2010.
Chief Operating Officer of Phoenix Solar AG Murray Cameron said the firm “sees Asia as a critical element in the group’s growth story”.
“The experienced and capable team we have here is well positioned to leverage on the developments in the region,” he added.
