Is Macau a good place to invest in solar energy?

Song and colleagues have no doubts: “Macau has some of the richest solar resources in the world” (with average annual sunlight time exceeding 1000 h, providing about 5000 MJ/m 2 ). “Clearly, Macau has a tremendous potential for developing solar energy, especially a grid-connected photovoltaic system.

Can Macao increase solar energy?

The Macao government also sees an opportunity to increase solar energy. To encourage the installation of PV systems, officials passed a set of safety and installation regulations in 2015.

Does Macao have a photovoltaic energy contract?

The regulations require investors to enter into a 20-year contract for the purchase of photovoltaic energy with Macao’s sole energy service provider, Companhia de Electricidade de Macau (CEM). Essentially CEM will purchase the electricity produced to ensure investors profit within a reasonable period.

How many photovoltaic interconnections have been completed in Macao?

In response to a written inquiry from Macao News, the Environmental Bureau said that only five photovoltaic interconnections were completed by the end of March 2021. Meanwhile, the bureau received about 25 inquiries from local schools, industrial and commercial buildings and public utilities.

Does offshore wind energy make sense in Macau?

“In our view, as external observers, offshore wind energy in Macau’s territorial waters makes sense, as does the development of distributed generation of photovoltaic energy. Macau has a lot of sun and many roofs. There is a potential to develop this vector in the medium-to-long term.”

Is natural gas a problem in Macao?

As a member of the Smart Energy Group of UM’s State Key Laboratory, which focuses on optimising clean energy use and production, Zhang believes expanding the use of natural gas poses major problems, especially in the city’s older districts. “Many buildings and [much of the] infrastructure in Macao are outdated.