Proton, UEM Edgenta team up to go green

KUALA LUMPUR: National car maker Proton has engaged UEM Edgenta Bhd to manage and implement its energy efficiency initiatives, the Energy Performance Contract (EPC), at two of its facilities over a period of seven years.

According to a joint statement from Proton and UEM Edgenta yesterday, the EPC would be implemented at Proton’s Centre of Excellence (COE) at the Sime UEP Industrial Park and the Tanjung Malim manufacturing plant.

The EPC will deliver energy efficiency, allowing Proton to reduce a minimum of 30 per cent of total energy consumption at the Proton COE and 10 per cent of total energy consumption at its Tanjung Malim plant. This translates to a decrease of 4,800 kilogrammes of greenhouse gas emission per year and savings of no less than RM3.0 million per annum, the companies said.

The optimisation initiatives include lighting retrofits, chiller replacement, installation and optimisation of the compressed air system and installation of a Cloud and Internet of Things sensor-based energy monitoring system at both facilities.

It also includes a comprehensive maintenance and service on all equipment under the contract.

In addition to the environmental factor, this initiative is also expected to reduce Proton’s overall operational costs, once the automaker increases its operational hours due to the expected increase in car production volume which starts next year.

“One of the key principles of Industry 4.0 is the importance of making better things, while making things better.

“And this initiative will not only allow Proton to grow in a positive manner via our plant expansion as well as product development, but also will enable us to do so in a way where we reduce our overall carbon footprint,” said Proton Chief Executive Officer Dr Li Chunrong.