Photo 1. Participants of the CN Diagnosis at SOITEC.
Singapore, 29-31 October 2025 – The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), in collaboration with the Energy Conservation Center, Japan (ECCJ), co-organised the Carbon Neutrality (CN) Diagnosis of Scheme 5 at SOITEC Singapore under ASEAN-Japan Energy Efficiency Partnership (AJEEP) on in Singapore. The diagnosis was attended by representatives from ACE, ECCJ, National Environment Agency (NEA) and SOITEC Singapore.
The diagnosis brings together technical experts from ECCJ, alongside SOITEC representatives. Across three days, the agenda combines classroom-style explanation of AJEEP Scheme 5 and the CN diagnosis methodology, detailed company and preliminary survey briefings, on-site field surveys, and data analysis leading to concrete CN proposals for SOITEC.
The first day of the diagnosis begins with an outline of the overall CN diagnosis agenda, setting expectations for the diagnostic process and the role of each organisation. This is followed by an explanation of AJEEP Scheme 5 and its position within broader ASEAN–Japan energy efficiency cooperation, and a session on CN project formation and CN diagnosis guidelines by ECCJ, which frames CN diagnosis as a stepwise process from data collection through to project formulation. The morning continues with an explanation of CN diagnosis activities, clarifying diagnostic scope, typical indicators, and follow-up expectations, and then a session where SOITEC presents its company profile, including business activities and major energy-using systems, to give the experts a baseline understanding of the site. In the afternoon, ECCJ presents and discusses the preliminary survey results and conducts an interview survey together with SOITEC to clarify production processes, operating patterns, constraints, and potential CN opportunities.
Photo 2. Site Survey to SOITEC.
The second day of the is focused on an intensive on-site field survey jointly carried out by SOITEC, NEA, ACE, and ECCJ. In the morning and early afternoon, the team inspects major process areas, utilities, and auxiliary systems, collecting operational data, reviewing existing energy management practices, and identifying possible CN measures across equipment, operations, and future investments. The fieldwork continues through the full day under the technical guidance of ECCJ, allowing participants to directly apply CN diagnosis procedures that have been previously used in factories and buildings across ASEAN under Scheme 5.
The third day consolidates the findings from the preliminary and field surveys into a structured data analysis and proposal-making process led by ECCJ.
The diagnosis yielded 10 energy efficiency recommendations introducing innovative technologies tailored to SOITEC’s operations. Key measures include the installation of solar water heater absorption chiller systems, thin-film perovskite solar cells on connecting corridor walls, and evaporative heat coolers for make-up air units (MAU). Additional recommendations address cleanroom optimisation through temperature setpoint adjustment from 21°C to 23°C, compressor number control systems, metal tilt towers for cooling tower water temperature reduction, air curtains for heating furnace heat loss reduction, and thermal insulation for furnace exhaust pipes. These measures target the facility’s major energy consumers: process tools (approximately 53%), chiller systems (28%), and compressed dry air systems (10%).
Preliminary calculations indicate significant reduction potential. The cleanroom temperature adjustment alone could deliver approximately 712,188 kWh annual savings with 293 t-CO₂ reduction at zero investment cost. The compressor number control measure shows potential savings of 284,003 kWh annually (91 t-CO₂) with a 0.3-year payback period. The hot and cold water heat pump system for ultrapure water heating at 60°C demonstrates the highest single-measure impact with 2,548,800 kWh potential savings (1,050 t-CO₂) and a payback period of just 0.6 years. Collectively, these measures align with SOITEC’s corporate sustainability targets of 37% absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction by FY30 versus CY20 baseline, and 50% water recycling and reuse by FY30.
The diagnosis also supports Singapore’s national net zero emissions target by 2050 and advances the APAEC 2026–2030 objective of 40% energy intensity reduction by 2030 from the 2005 baseline. As SOITEC continues its expansion with the Pasir Ris Extension project targeting additional capacity of up to 1 million wafers per year, the CN diagnosis findings provide a foundation for integrating energy-efficient design principles from the outset. This diagnosis joins the broader portfolio of AJEEP Scheme 5 activities that have collectively identified approximately 5,000 tonnes CO₂/year reduction potential across 8 diagnosed sites in 8 ASEAN countries, training over 100 participants including policymakers, energy managers, academia, and industry engineers.
Photo 3. Presentation Session.
ASEAN-Japan Energy Efficiency Partnership (AJEEP), as part of the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Energy and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (SOME-METI) Work Programme for 2025-2026, is a regional cooperation initiative between ASEAN and Japan, implemented by the ACE and ECCJ with financial support from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI). This partnership aims to strengthen the capacity of AMS and reduce disparities in Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) policies and practices.
