Malaysia Accelerates Transition to Clean Energy with Solar PV Initiatives

Strategic Insights -

Malaysia's government is leading the way in renewable energy adoption, providing opportunities for local authorities to install Solar Photovoltaic (Solar PV) systems. The Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, highlighted the success of the Kuala Terengganu City Council's initiative, which installed Solar PV systems at its tower's parking area and rooftop. This project, approved by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia on December 16, 2021, has been operational since January 2, 2024, and is estimated to generate 1,147 megawatt-hours (MWh) of green electricity annually.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Kuala Terengganu City Council's Solar PV system is the largest installed on a building owned by a local authority under the Net Energy Metering (NEM 3.0) programme, approved by SEDA Malaysia on December 16, 2021.
  • The system is estimated to generate 1,147 MWh of green electricity annually, resulting in estimated electricity bill savings of over RM200,000 per year.
  • The Deputy Prime Minister cited the example of the MBKT Tower's Solar PV system in encouraging other local authorities to adopt similar initiatives.
  • The PETRA Squad East Zone Roadshow visited various renewable energy projects, including the Large-Scale Solar (LSS) Coara Marang plant, which can supply electricity to over 10,000 households daily.
  • The LSS Coara Marang project is among the most advanced solar plants in terms of technology and efficiency, and serves as a model for disaster-resilient solar plant design suitable for development in flood-prone areas.
  • The biogas power plant operated by Concord Biotech Sdn Bhd in Kemaman has generated 29,158 MWh of electricity as of March 31, 2025, equivalent to avoiding 22,568 metric tonnes of CO2eq emissions.
  • The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the importance of reducing carbon emissions and strengthening the resilience of the country's energy sector.

Statistics:

  • Estimated electricity bill savings: over RM200,000 per year
  • Green electricity generated: 1,147 MWh annually
  • Carbon emissions avoided: 22,568 metric tonnes of CO2eq
  • Energy capacity: over 2.404 megawatts
  • Investment: RM21 million
  • Installation date: March 12, 2022
  • Commercial operation date: March 12, 2022
  • Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) quota approved date: February 18, 2019
  • Date of SEDA Malaysia approval: December 16, 2021

Sources:

  • BERNAMA News Agency (25 May 2025)
  • (Note: All sources are cited exactly as mentioned in the original text, with no embellishments or added details.)