13 Large-scale Solar Projects Approved Under LSS PETRA 5+

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- A total of 13 large-scale solar power plant projects, with a combined capacity of 1,975 megawatts (MW) alternating current (MWac), have been approved under the Large Scale Solar -- Energy Transition SuRiA Programme Round 5 Additional (LSS PETRA 5+) programme, according to the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA).

According to a PETRA statement today, the total capacity approved is the largest since the LSS programme was introduced in 2016, bringing the total approved capacity to date to 4,263MWac.

PETRA said the open bidding process for the 2,000MWac quota, which was opened by the Energy Commission on Jan 20, received 37 applications with the offered capacity reaching 4,073MW, which is twice the original quota amount.

Of that number, PETRA said that 13 bidders who met all the requirements of the Request For Proposal (RFP) had been selected to carry out the project.

"The implementation of the LSS Programme through open bidding has successfully produced many capable and potential local solar developers who can develop solar power plants at competitive tariff rates," said the statement.

PETRA said the approval for solar development capacity under the new LSS PETRA 5+ is expected to generate an investment of RM6 billion and create 12,000 jobs in the renewable energy (RE) industry.

This large-scale solar power generation project, which is set to be developed, will begin generating and supplying electricity starting in 2027 and 2028.

"This is among the largest floating solar projects in the country with a total capacity of 200MWac," according to the statement.

LSS PETRA 5+ is offered through two packages: a ground-mounted solar power plant with a capacity of 30MWac to 500MWac and a total quota of 1,500MWac, and a water-body-mounted solar power plant with a capacity of 10MWac to 500MWac and a quota of 500MWac.

PETRA said that the implementation of this initiative is believed to contribute significantly to the country's energy transition aspirations to increase the RE capacity mix in the national electricity supply system to 70 per cent by 2050.

It (initiative) also supports PETRA's commitment to reduce the carbon footprint of the country's electricity supply sector, in line with the principles of Malaysia MADANI sustainability.

-- BERNAMA