Project will be Chengdu’s first comprehensive ‘Transit-Oriented Development’ sports park that integrates a world-class sports and cultural hub with residential, commercial and entertainment space across 278,000 square metres

18 June 2024, China and Singapore – SP Group (SP) has secured the bid to design, build, own and operate a state-of-the-art district cooling and heating system for the new International Sports Park City in Chengdu, China. SP will invest more than RMB 200 million (approximately SGD $37.27 million) in the sustainable energy management project under a 19-year energy service contract.

When operational in 2025, the solution will enable the International Sports Park City – an integrated development with commercial, residential and leisure spaces – to enjoy greater energy efficiency of over 30 per cent for cooling and over 50 per cent for heating. This translates to annual savings of 2,900 Megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity and abatement of 1,700 tonnes in carbon emissions.

The sustainable cooling solution will be enhanced with an ice thermal energy storage system that will strengthen the system’s reliability and performance. This is SP’s first deployment in China of such a system, where thermal energy is stored in the form of ice when electricity demand is low and discharged, when necessary, to provide uninterrupted chilled water supply for cooling services. With an installed cooling capacity of 9,800 refrigeration tons (RT), this project will be SP’s largest district cooling system in Chengdu, China.

Located in Chengdu’s Wuhou District, International Sports Park City is set to be transformed into a world-class sports and cultural hub. It is poised to become Chengdu’s first comprehensive “Transit-Oriented Development” sports park – an urban development that maximises residential, commercial and entertainment space within walking distance of public transport nodes. Initiated in February 2023, the 278,000-square metres sports park is expected to be completed by 2025.

“The International Sports Park City is set to be a flagship integrated hub in Chengdu’s exploration of the ‘Sports+’ model,” said a spokesperson for the development’s main developer, Chengdu Wuhou Taiping Park Redevelopment Co. Ltd. “Part of its success depends on our ability to partner leading players to bring world-class sustainable urban development to local residents. The quality of SP Group’s technical standards and innovative design, together with its unique business model, offers greater flexibility and value to the project’s development.”

“China’s commercial and industrial boom, coupled with greater sustainability ambitions, has resulted in a higher demand for clean energy and digital solutions that can contribute towards China’s urban transformation and decarbonisation goals,” said Mr Michael Zhong, Managing Director, China, SP Group. “We are pleased to be part of the exciting International Sports Park City in Chengdu, to showcase our industry-leading expertise in district cooling and heating systems along with our range of clean energy solutions that will help the development save energy and reduce its carbon footprint.”

The International Sports Park City will add to SP’s expanding portfolio of district cooling and energy management projects in China. The company has secured several high-profile district cooling and heating projects in China including Raffles City Chongqing, the Guangzhou Knowledge Tower and pioneering the concept of cooling microgrid in China at Chengdu’s Wuhou International Urban Design Centre. It also won the contract to upgrade the district cooling system in Shudu Center in Q3 2023. SP is the largest district cooling project operator in Southeast Asia and currently operates the world’s largest underground district cooling system located in Marina Bay, Singapore.

About SP Group

SP Group is a leading utilities group in the Asia Pacific, empowering the future of energy with low-carbon, smart energy solutions for its customers. It owns and operates electricity and gas transmission and distribution businesses in Singapore and Australia, as well as sustainable energy solutions in Singapore, China, Thailand and Vietnam.  

As Singapore’s national grid operator, about 1.6 million industrial, commercial and residential customers benefit from its world-class transmission, distribution and market support services. These networks are amongst the most reliable and cost-effective worldwide.  

Beyond traditional utilities services, SP Group provides a suite of sustainable and renewable energy solutions such as microgrids, cooling and heating systems for business districts and residential townships, solar energy solutions, electric vehicle fast-charging stations and digital energy solutions for customers in Singapore and the region.  

For more information, please visit spgroup.com.sg or follow us on Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram.