Singapore Green Building Services Certification Scheme

Environmental Sustainability (ES) services complement traditional built environment professional services disciplines, such as architecture and engineering, by integrating multi-disciplinary considerations to achieve environmental sustainability outcomes and goals.

ES firms typically possess expertise in specialised areas such as energy modelling, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for natural ventilation studies, energy audits, chiller plant optimisation and decarbonisation strategies. The result is a high- performance, energy and resource-efficient building that is both healthy and comfortable for occupants. they can help projects achieve SLE, Zero Energy and Zero Carbon targets.

ES firms have deep capabilities in optimising overall building performance, for both new and existing buildings, to achieve higher ratings in Green Mark and other Green Building rating schemes. This includes certification to Super Low Energy and Zero Energy certification standards.

The Singapore Green Building Services (SGBS) certification scheme for ES services was developed to support the needs of project owners seeking professional services to meet the sustainability goals for their buildings and building projects. The tiering of ES firms corresponds generally to the following project needs:

SGBS-certified ES firms have highly trained staff with Green Mark Accredited Professional (GMAP) and Green Mark Advanced Accredited Professional (GMAAP) qualifications. GMAPs serve as leads for Green Mark projects as Responsible Persons, whilst GMAAPs are required for the endorsement of Energy Modeling and CFD reports.

The list of SGBS-certified ES firms can be found here.

Energy performance contracting (EPC) is an effective approach for the retrofitting of existing buildings to meet present-day standards and to raise energy efficiency performance. It is a contractual model supported by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) under the Green Mark certification scheme.

Under the EPC model, the building owner enters into an energy performance contract with an EPC firm to achieve and maintain a certain level of Building or Chiller Plant energy efficiency performance level, or to deliver a guaranteed quantum of energy savings. The terms of an EPC contract are to be determined by both parties to meet appropriate goals and objectives.

Certain EPC firms are also able to take on the full upfront cost of energy retrofits by offering a Zero Capital Partnership (ZCP). More information on the ZCP scheme is available here.

SGBC accredits EPC firms under the Singapore Green Building Services (SGBS) certification scheme. The appointment and involvement of SGBS-certified EPC firms in Green Mark projects is accorded specific credits under the Green Mark 2021 certification scheme. Up to 1.0 point can be scored in Resilience Section RE 2.1b Procurement for the appointment of SGBS-certified Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) firms to implement and deliver energy efficiency projects that guarantee operational system efficiency for a minimum of three years.

The capabilities and experience of EPC firms certified under the SGBS scheme are briefly as follows:

The list of SGBS-certified EPC firms can be found here.

To facilitate discussions between building owners and Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) firms, SGBC has developed the following resources together with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and industry stakeholders:

• Energy Performance Contract for Buildings – This is a contract template for the procurement of services in relation to energy efficiency retrofits, installation of renewable energy facilities, ventilation and cooling system optimisation, lighting retrofits and adoption of smart building systems.

• Guide on Specifications for Energy Performance Contracting for Air-Conditioning System Maintenance – This guide lists the key considerations for the adoption of EPC model for air-conditioning system maintenance and includes information such as performance tabulation, penalty models as well as a sample of recommended maintenance servicing regimes.

These guides are to be modified to meet the law and agreed terms of engagement as seen fit between both parties.

Please email [email protected] to request for either document.

The energy performance of buildings in Singapore is published annually by BCA to allow building owners to benchmark their buildings’ energy performance against similar building types and to take the necessary steps to improve energy performance. Substantial cost savings can be reaped from the greening of existing buildings that have been in operation for some time. The implementation of energy retrofits and energy efficiency projects however, often requires capital investment and technical expertise, which may be a challenge to some building owners, particularly strata-titled and independent or corporate owners of smaller buildings.

The Zero Capital Partnership (ZCP) scheme addresses these critical concerns by providing the building owner with the expertise of Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) firms accredited under the SGBS certification scheme. The EPC firm serves as a one-stop solution for both minor and major retrofit options, and has been assessed to be able to offer financing options as well as to facilitate the application of incentive schemes to fund the retrofit works.

Through the ZCP scheme, building owners can have the confidence to work with a proven EPC firm to achieve greater energy efficiency with zero capital outlay.

Scope of Work

In May 2016, the ZCP scheme was launched to address chiller plant retrofits, followed by air-conditioning system maintenance. In September 2017, the scheme was expanded to also cover lighting retrofits in recognition that lighting is the second largest contributor to energy consumption in buildings.

Firms listed under the ZCP scheme will be able to assist building owners in the following ways:

Conduct an energy audit and propose retrofit and optimisation solutions.
Arrange for financing of the retrofit works and/or assist building owners to tap into incentive schemes to obtain relevant grants
Apply for and facilitate the assessment process for Green Mark certification

Application

Interested building owners may approach any of the firms participating in the SGBC-BCA Zero Capital Partnership Scheme by visiting the SGBS Directory of Certified Services, selecting the relevant category and clicking on the ZCP filter. 

Connect with Us

A staff member from SGBC Pte Ltd, SGBC’s wholly owned Certification Body, will work with you to identify a suitable scope of certification. Information on certification requirements, documentation and timelines will be discussed.

Consolidate and Collect

You will prepare, collect and consolidate all supporting documentation to kick-start the assessment process.

Completion and Certification

Upon successful completion, the certificate will be issued and your organisation will be listed on the SGBS Certification Directory at https://web.sgbc.online/public/service