G8 Subsea Strengthens Its Role in Renewable Energy Innovation
G8, based in Singapore, is playing a crucial role in accelerating the global transition to low-carbon energy solutions. The company focuses on pioneering renewable energy projects powered by advanced offshore wind and floating solar technologies.
As one of Asia’s top companies in offshore renewable energy, G8 leverages its expertise in subsea cable and engineering to create scalable solutions that efficiently connect large offshore wind turbines and floating solar systems to land. This is made possible by subsea cables that are buried and safeguarded beneath the seabed. According to Gerald Tan, Founder and Managing Director of G8, such offshore systems are capable of delivering the highest renewable energy output.
Since its founding in 2015, renewable energy has been a core focus for the company. “In response to climate change and the necessity of sustainable energy for future generations, we are fully committed to accelerating large-scale renewable energy projects and innovating technology to quickly reduce carbon emissions from power plants,” says Mr Tan. This mission aligns with Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 and the global climate agenda outlined at COP26.
He adds, “The urgency of addressing climate change and moving away from fossil fuels has never been more critical. A swift transition to renewable energy infrastructure is vital for businesses and nations to meet their ESG goals and ensure long-term energy security and environmental sustainability.”
A Global Vision for Renewable Energy
G8’s global reach is reflected in its international operations and projects. In 2017, the company became the first foreign firm to build subsea power infrastructure linking 60 MW wind turbine systems in South Korea. This landmark project established G8’s reputation with the Korean power authority (KEPCO) and led to the creation of G8 Renewable Energy Korea in Seoul to further support operations in the region.
Today, G8’s Korean division manages over 3 GW of wind and floating solar projects. Earlier this year, the company announced a partnership to develop a 1.5 GW wind farm in South Korea, one of Asia’s largest offshore wind farms, incorporating next-generation energy storage technologies. The company is also expanding its presence in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Looking beyond Asia, G8 has entered a joint venture in West Africa to build a 65 MW floating solar plant on a hydro dam. This project, which will be Africa’s largest and most advanced floating solar system, aims to meet the growing energy demands of the region while ensuring efficient power transfer between solar and hydropower.
In Singapore, G8 has successfully completed a pioneering floating solar system and is involved in several iconic projects, including a partnership with the Singapore Discovery Center to design the world’s first solar-powered water stage with curved solar photovoltaic panels. This innovative design is backed by Dr Liu Thai Ker, Chairman of the Centre for Liveable Cities and former master planner of Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority.
Overcoming Renewable Energy Challenges
G8’s culture of technological innovation and robust research and development (R&D) capabilities are essential in overcoming the challenges of renewable energy development. In dense urban areas like Singapore, finding space for large solar or wind power plants is difficult. To address this, G8 is exploring renewable energy systems on reservoirs and unused water spaces along coastlines.
One of the company’s proprietary technologies, the Modular Tractive Buoyancy System (MTB), is a patented construction system that enables the efficient building of next-generation floating wind and solar systems. G8’s complete turnkey solutions, including Island Power Systems (IPS) and Green Power Manager (GPM), provide cost-effective renewable energy options for utilities and business owners, with strong global interest.
“Our R&D team remains dedicated to developing the next generation of technologies, and we hope these innovations will lead to many more advancements from G8,” reveals Mr Tan.
Looking forward, G8 plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) on the NASDAQ exchange in 2023, a move that will support its global growth strategy and position the company to lead the development of large-scale renewable energy systems worldwide. Significant resources will be invested in R&D to improve the efficiency and capabilities of its hybrid wind and solar technologies.
In recognition of its growth and resilience, G8 was honoured as one of the top winners at the Emerging Enterprise Awards, co-organised by The Business Times and OCBC, for its strong performance despite the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
