SP Group marks 20 years of Marina Bay district cooling network operations, with plans for expansion
Singapore, 14 August 2026 — SP Group (SP) marked 20 years of operating the Marina Bay district cooling network with new expansion plans. These cover developments in the Anson, Enggor and Havelock areas, and the completion of OUE Bayfront’s connection to the network.
Anson Centre and Ascott Shenton Way Singapore will join the Marina Bay district cooling network when completed in 2027 and 2029 respectively. At the Havelock cluster, which spans Merchant Road to South Canal Road, SP has signed a Supply Agreement with Union Square Central and Letters of Intent with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Paradox Hotel. The cluster will be served by a new district cooling plant located within Union Square Central and connected to an upcoming satellite chiller plant at the George Street electricity substation.
These additions build on the progressive expansion of the district cooling network beyond the Marina Bay financial district towards Raffles Place and surrounding central precincts. By 2030, it is expected to serve 50 connected developments, including Marina Bay Sands’ upcoming IR2, which will increase the network’s capacity by up to 10,600 refrigeration tonnes (RT) to more than 75,500 RT.
Mr Law Chin Ho, Chief Operating Officer of SP, said: “For two decades, the Marina Bay district cooling network has expanded progressively alongside Singapore’s central business district, delivering reliable, energy-efficient cooling to developments of different sizes and usage purposes. Its uninterrupted operating record gives building owners confidence to rely on district cooling as an essential urban utility. Through new connections, and interconnected plants and clusters, we will continue to scale the network and extend these benefits to more developments and support the sustainable growth of our city centre.”
Purpose-built for commercial and retail developments including hotels and MICE venues, the network’s benefits can be especially significant for smaller buildings, where the capital required for a standalone chiller plant remains substantial despite lower cooling demand. In addition to lowering upfront capital expenditure, connection to the network can reduce total cost of ownership by up to 15 per cent and free up valuable space for other uses.
These benefits are made possible by a planned approach to urban development. Conceived from the outset as a sustainable, mixed-use precinct, Marina Bay is supported by district-level infrastructure such as the Common Services Tunnels, which enabled the efficient deployment and expansion of the district cooling network. By providing reliable shared cooling infrastructure at the precinct level, the network helps developments avoid the need for standalone cooling systems while supporting Singapore’s broader sustainability goals as Marina Bay continues to grow.
In May 2026, OUE Bayfront became the latest development to be connected to the Marina Bay district cooling network. By removing the need for an on-site chiller plant, the development was able to repurpose more than 22,600 square feet of former chiller plant space. This is enabled by an incentive scheme introduced by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in 2024, which provides additional gross floor area for developments joining new or existing district cooling systems.
Mr Han Khim Siew, Chief Executive Officer of OUE REIT, said: “We are pleased that OUE Bayfront has joined the Marina Bay district cooling network, supporting our Net Zero Transition Plan by enhancing energy efficiency, reducing operational carbon emissions and advancing the asset’s target of achieving net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. Importantly, the connection has also unlocked additional value by enabling us to convert former chiller plant space into premium office accommodation. This milestone demonstrates how trusted utility infrastructure can support both sustainability outcomes and asset enhancement for commercial developments.”
“Joining the Marina Bay district cooling network was a practical and natural choice for New Vision Holding (NVH). With limited space in our development, the network allows us to have a more compact centralised cooling plant and efficiently planned facilities that better serve our operational needs and users. At the same time, district cooling provides us with a reliable and energy-efficient cooling solution. It supports our sustainability goals by improving operational efficiency and reducing the environmental impact associated with our cooling needs. This is part of NVH’s broader commitment to adopting practical and sustainable solutions in our operations, while contributing to Singapore’s transition towards a lower-carbon future,” said Ms Tong Yan, Director of NVH, Ascott Shenton Way Singapore’s developer.
The network currently serves 28 buildings through a five-kilometre piping network. At the district level, it also reduces approximately 25,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually — equivalent to removing 22,700 cars from Singapore's roads each year. It has delivered uninterrupted cooling with zero service disruptions throughout its 20 years of operations.
As the network expands towards Raffles Place and the surrounding areas, a new satellite chiller plant at the George Street electricity substation is expected to be completed by 2028. The facility will be the first district cooling plant to be co-located within an electricity substation, demonstrating an innovative approach to space optimisation in the land-scarce Central Business District.
The expansion forms part of SP’s multi-plant operating model, in which interconnected cooling plants balance demand and provide backup support when needed. This enhances the network’s efficiency, reliability and resilience and is also used in the Tampines Eco Town and upcoming HarbourFront precinct district cooling systems.
With this expansion and other secured projects, SP's total district cooling capacity in Singapore will reach 230,870 RT, reinforcing its position as the country's largest district cooling provider.
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About SP Group
SP Group is a leading utilities provider in Asia Pacific, empowering the future of energy through low-carbon, smart solutions. It owns and operates electricity and gas transmission and distribution networks in Singapore and Australia. As Singapore’s national grid operator, SP Group serves approximately 1.7 million industrial, commercial, and residential customers with world-class transmission, distribution, and market support services.
Beyond traditional utilities, SP Group delivers integrated sustainable energy solutions across Singapore, China, Thailand, and Vietnam. These solutions include district cooling and heating, renewable energy, EV charging infrastructure, and digital energy platforms tailored for districts, communities, and commercial and industrial customers.
For more information, please visit spgroup.com.sg or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
