In Colin Peh’s view, power must be managed more responsibly. He runs GoRental.SG, a national leader in portable green energy solutions, providing generators for events, businesses, construction sites, homes, and even emergencies.
“Before, we relied on diesel generators, which were noisy, bulky, and carbon intensive,” says Peh. “Switching to batteries, which are quieter, smaller, and environmentally friendly, not only improves the visitor experience, but also contributes to a more sustainable future.”
Since launching in 2017, GoRental.SG has powered over 300 events across the island, including this year’s National Day Parade, Singapore Night Festival, and Singapore River Festival. Its battery generators, Peh estimates, have produced over 600,000 kWh of clean energy—enough to power a HDB five-room flat for more than 100 years. It’s also helped avert over 1,500 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to planting 46,000 trees.
However, Peh, who is also a certified ESG practitioner, emphasises: “We’re not here to be a cleaner version of the old solution. We want to be the better solution.”
GoRental.SG offers a range of battery generators, including small 200W to 1,000W models perfect for camping trips and domestic power outages, and large 90kW units suitable for festivals and large vehicles, for rental and purchase.
To produce these, Peh poured $4 million into R&D and spent four years researching battery technology and scaling his findings for portable use. From an initial capacity of 800 charge cycles, his battery generators now push past 6,000 cycles, lasting seven times longer.
Extended lifespan aside, they also offer greater safety. A built-in computerised system continuously monitors and regulates the battery, detecting and mitigating abnormalities early. Integrated software tracks data like energy use and carbon emissions, while solar charging capabilities ensure optimum performance with power drawn directly from solar panels.
He will have us know, however, that the journey requires more than reliable technology. “We want customers to understand the benefits from sustainable energy. This way, sustainability becomes more meaningful.”
It is about building a business model that improves lives as much as it delivers power.
Colin Peh on his mission to change mindsets
The key is to change mindsets. To convince clients that battery generators perform better than diesel, the company substantiates its stellar track record at events with live demonstrations and case studies. Peh explains, “For us, social responsibility is not separate from sustainability. It is about building a business model that improves lives as much as it delivers power.”
GoRental.SG is also a member of B1G1 Business For Good, which helps businesses embed impactful giving into their operations. In 2024, it was among the first to support emergency relief efforts in the US after a devastating hurricane swept through the country, donating its battery generators to communities affected.
This partnership has become the catalyst for its #GoImpact movement. With the scan of a QR code, guests at events can make a difference by supporting causes like clean water and education. GoRental.SG makes the donations on their behalf.
As we circle the conversation back to home, Peh believes Singapore can lead the way for urban cities to adopt clean energy solutions, citing its important strides such as EV infrastructure and green building standards.
But there’s more to be done: “Solar energy remains largely static, mostly limited to panels on rooftops and fixed systems attached to buildings. What’s lacking are portable, scalable battery energy storage solutions to make solar power usable anywhere, and provide easier access to events, temporary work sites, and off-grid corporate operations.
“And this is the gap we aim to bridge: providing flexible, mobile power solutions that make renewable energy practical beyond the rooftop. As technology advances, larger capacities of clean energy in increasingly compact systems will become a reality.”
Photography Mun Kong
Art direction Annalisa Espino Lim
Hair Sarah Tan, using Goldwell
Grooming Keith Bryant Lee, using Shiseido
Photography assistant Melvin Leong
