Penang To Boost Solar Energy Capacity

NIBONG TEBAL, April 3 (Bernama) -- Penang is actively enhancing its solar energy capacity by building solar farms, collaborating with the industrial sector to install solar panels on factory roofs and exploring the potential of floating solar in dams and the sea.

​Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this move was further strengthened with the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Large-Scale Solar Farm Project 5 (LSS5), worth RM103 million, which is expected to supply 29.99-megawatt peak (MWp) capacity by July 2027.

He said this initiative would not only support the national target of 40 per cent renewable energy (RBE) by 2035, but would also become a "magnet" for green investment for the state's high-tech sector.

"The LSS5 project in Byram will complement the state's existing green energy portfolio, such as LSS4 in Seberang Perai Tengah, the solar project in Bukit Bendera, as well as future plans for floating solar at the Mengkuang and Teluk Bahang Dams," he told reporters after the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the LSS5 project here today.

The development of the LSS5 project is led by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) subsidiary, Solar Voltech Sdn Bhd, while Solarvest Holdings Bhd has been appointed as the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Operation contractor.

Additionally, close collaboration between the public and private sectors such as this proves that synergy and local expertise are capable of leading a high-impact energy transformation.

Meanwhile, the state's Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman, Zairil Khir Johari said Penang is also interested in exploring the installation of floating solar at Mengkuang and Teluk Bahang Dams for future plans.

However, he said the state government is currently waiting for specific guidelines from the federal government to ensure that the quality of drinking water supply is not affected before implementation begins by the Penang Water Supply Corporation. 

​"This floating solar project in particular faces greater challenges than hydroelectric dams because it requires approval from various agencies, including the Department of Environment (DOE), to ensure that the quality of drinking water is not affected.

"The lack of these guidelines has been the 'bottleneck' in the delay in the implementation of floating solar projects in the state so far," he said.

​Apart from dams, Zairil said several local solar companies including Solar Voltech were also exploring the potential for solar energy generation in the sea areas around Penang.

He said Penang Port Sdn Bhd had also shown interest in adapting this technology and he understood that the port company had appointed a consultant to conduct a feasibility study in their area of ​​jurisdiction.

-- BERNAMA