Singapore banks open city’s first solar-powered ATM kiosk

Kaycee Enerva

Kaycee Enerva

DBS

Singapore banks DBS (Development Bank of Singapore), and POSB (Post Office Savings Bank), have launched the city’s first solar-powered ATM kiosk coinciding with Earth Hour. 

Located at Ang Mo Kio Ave, the DBS/POSB ATM kiosk has been in the neighbourhood since the 1990s and has been given an eco-friendly upgrade with solar panels and a new look. 

The kiosk boasts a 30 per cent annual energy consumption sourced from self-generated solar energy from the solar roof panels. In addition, customers can view the solar energy dashboard at the ATM, which displays the energy generated by the machine in real-time.

ATM kiosks are now becoming rare in the country. Built in the 80s and 90s, the kiosks were purposely designed and installed in provincial areas with fewer commercial structures and retail shops.

Back then, each kiosk was built to house ATMs for the customers and provide ample space for the technicians as they could only perform maintenance services at the back of the machine. Today, ATMs are now built with a compact design, and maintenance can easily be done from the front.

Last year, DBS joined the UN initiative Net-Zero Banking Alliance, committing to be net-zero by 2050. The bank transformed its four-storey building in Newton into a net-zero property with climate-friendly features, and at the end of 2021, nearly 100 per cent of the bank’s new suppliers have committed to its Sustainability Sourcing Principles. 

The bank also participated in Earth Hour 2022. On March 25, it switched off lights and air conditioners in offices for one hour from 12 pm-1 pm (SG time)  across Singapore, Hong Kong, India, China, Taiwan, and Indonesia. While on March 26, all offices in all six countries had their building signages turned off for one hour from 8.30 pm-9.30 pm. 

Kaycee Enerva

Kaycee Enerva

A digital content manager based in the Philippines, Kaycee Enerva has written for multiple publications over several years. A graduate of Computer Science, she exchanged a career in IT to pursue her passion for writing. She's slowly practicing sustainability through period cups, and eating more plant-based food.

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