WEnergy Global Pte Ltd wins SBR National Business Award for Renewable Energy
Empowering off-grid communities with clean energy solutions.
WEnergy Global Pte Ltd has garnered the Renewable Energy category award at the 2024 SBR National Business Awards, a testament to its influential role in the renewable energy sector. This accolade highlights the company’s commitment to sustainable and clean energy solutions, particularly through its pioneering Sabang Renewable Energy Corporation (SREC) hybrid microgrid project in the secluded village of Sabang, Barangay Cabayugan, Palawan, Philippines.
Launched in August 2019, this transformative project encompasses a 2.4 MW plus 2.6 MWh battery storage hybrid power plant and a 14 km smart grid. It supplies continuous, high-quality electricity to 600 customers, representing a significant advancement in electrification standards. As the first clean, smart, off-grid solution deployed by a Singaporean company in the region, the project employs cutting-edge technology and has been operational since its inception. SREC has dramatically improved the lives of roughly 3,000 Sabang residents and has serviced over 200,000 tourists in 2023 alone. The consistent electricity provision has notably enhanced night-time safety, especially for women and children, boosted local businesses by extending their operational hours, and fostered economic growth through new job creation. Within five years, the community saw a doubling of registered businesses, an 80% reduction in crime rates, 96% internet connectivity, and an improvement in student educational outcomes from 85% to 92%.
The genesis of SREC was an extraordinary undertaking, achieved through extensive international cooperation involving Dutch and German technical design, testing in Singaporean labs, Filipino implementation and personnel, and funding from Japan, Europe, and the Philippines, totalling US$9.5 million. This project underscores a profound commitment to global collaboration for sustainable development.
SREC's reliability was tested during the COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Odette in December 2021. Despite these adversities, the project continued to deliver essential services, quickly restoring power post-typhoon, thus demonstrating its resilience and the effectiveness of its dedicated team.
SREC has also set a benchmark in the ASEAN region, helping shape regional policy and leading to the enactment of the Microgrid Systems Act in the Philippines. This has paved the way for increased international investment and the establishment of future microgrid projects. WEnergy Global, in collaboration with CleanGrid Partners Pte Ltd and Maharlika Clean Power Holdings Inc, has recently secured Philippine government contracts for 24 new microgrids. These projects, involving a 230km intelligent power grid system, powered by 7,000 kWp of solar PV and 3,500 kW of diesel generators backed by 8,000 kWh of battery storage, will energise over 11,500 households and businesses or over 60,000 individuals by mid-2025.
The SREC project exemplifies the significant role of private enterprise in providing essential, clean, reliable, and affordable electricity, thus empowering communities and driving sustainable development. This achievement at the SBR National Business Awards 2024 celebrates WEnergy Global’s dedication to innovation, collaboration, and sustainability, marking a crucial milestone in the pursuit of universal electrification and renewable energy solutions.
The SBR National Business Awards is presented by Singapore Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's exceptional contributions to the local business landscape in Singapore, please contact Jane Patiag at jane@charltonmediamail.com.