For more than a decade, March 27 was a date where the world celebrated Earth Hour, a global environmental movement to reduce harm to our planet. Since the first event in 2007, Earth Hour has been rallying people from all over the world to switch off their lights for one hour to show support for climate action.
Singapore is one of the world’s highest consumer of electricity, ranking 4th globally with about 7,642 GWh used in 2019, according to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Building Energy Benchmarking Report (2020).*
RQAM manages Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) and One Raffles Quay (ORQ), two iconic developments in Marina Bay that account for the largest integrated mixed use development in Singapore with 4.5 million square feet of prime Grade A office and 179,000 square feet of supporting retail space – Marina Bay Link Mall (MBLM). As a large asset with heavy foot traffic, the assets represent a tremendous carbon footprint.
As a long-time supporter of Earth Hour, the ongoing efforts of energy reduction across portfolios at By The Bay has resulted in a savings of 4,900,000KWh annually, which is equivalent to the energy consumed by 16,333 units of 3-room HDB flat on a monthly basis (based on 300KWh consumption per month).**
These efforts come from efficient lightning, demand control for carpark ventilation fans, air-conditioner and lights operations control.
In addition, to further support reductions in electricity consumption, RQAM also encourages our office tenants to achieve the Green Mark certification for office interiors, which will yield a key benefit of reduction in utility expenses. With RQAM’s quarterly drive on recycling used light tubes collection, many of our tenants have joined us in the efforts to use eco-friendly LED bulbs instead of fluorescent or incandescent bulbs.
Every action counts. Let’s forge a culture of reducing energy consumption together and do our part in protecting the earth. Join RQAM on 27 March for the iconic action – switch off your lights for one hour from 8.30pm.
Here are some ways we can minimize electricity wastage and bring positive changes to our offices.
setting, the more energy used by your air-conditioner.
heat as compared to fluorescent lights.
References:
*Building and Construction Authority. (2020). BCA Building Energy Benchmarking Report. https://www.bca.gov.sg/BESS/BenchmarkingReport/BenchmarkingReport.aspx
**https://www.ema.gov.sg/cmsmedia/Publications_and_Statistics/Statistics/8RSU.pdf