TNB INVESTS RM349M IN SOLAR PLANT
Construction on 98ha site expected to be completed in November next year
TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) is investing RM349 million to set up a 50megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic plant here, the biggest in Malaysia.
“This is the first for TNB and the biggest in Malaysia,” said TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Azman Mohd.
“Our unit, TNB Engineering & Construction Sdn Bhd, bid for this solar plant project via a competitive process held by Energy Commission,” said Azman at the groundbreaking, here, yesterday.
Also present were Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang, TNB Energy Ventures Sdn Bhd vicepresident Datuk Nor Azman Mufti and Affin Islamic Bank Bhd chief executive officer Nazlee Khalifah.
This large-scale solar plant is being built on a 98ha site where trees are cleared to make way for maximum exposure of solar panels to capture sunlight.
Two months ago, TNB’s unit, TNB Sepang Solar Sdn Bhd, borrowed RM339 million from Affin Islamic Bank to fund this solar energy project.
Six months ago, TNB Sepang Solar had signed a 21-year agreement with TNB to supply solar energy to the national grid.
When the construction of this solar plant is completed in November next year, TNB’s total solar energy capacity will increase from 23.2MW to 73.2MW.