Singapore's public housing estates are expected to consume 10 percent less electricity in the next five years by using solar energy, local media reported on Tuesday.

TV broadcaster Channelnewsasia said a scheme named Energy Save Program, initiated by the country's Housing and Development Board (HDB), the National Environment Agency and the Energy Market Authority, has already shown positive results in two trial projects, where solar panels were implemented across 14 HDB blocks.

"All precincts involved in the trial achieved some 40 percent energy savings," the broadcaster said, adding that a 30 percent reduction in energy will save some 36 million Singapore dollars (about 23.6 million U.S. dollars) a year.

The report said more than 80 percent of Singaporeans live in HDB estates and the households consume energy of some 1.2 billion Singapore dollars (about 0.79 billion U.S. dollars) a year.

Since March, 2007, the Singapore government has pledged a total of 350 million Singapore dollars (234.8 million U.S. dollars) in research, development and technology of the clean energy sector.

Source:Xinhua