LUBOK ANTU (Sarawak), June 20 (Bernama) -- The first floating solar farm project in Sarawak, located at Batang Ai Reservoir, is currently nearing completion and is expected to commence operations in October, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He stated that the project will significantly increase the solar and hydroelectric power generation capacity at Batang Ai to 158 megawatts (MW), making it Malaysia’s first producer of two types of renewable energy in a hybrid system.
"The solar farm will generate approximately 50MW of power, while the Batang Ai Reservoir currently produces 108 MW of hydroelectric power. When completed, Batang Ai will generate a total of 158 MW (hydro and solar)," he told reporters during a media briefing after visiting the farm today.
As part of a long-term plan, Abang Johari highlighted that the 8,500-hectare Batang Ai area has the potential to increase solar power generation to around 2,000 MW through foreign and local investments.
He added that Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), the state government-owned company responsible for the project, will conduct studies to expand the green energy initiative.
I have discussed with SEB to plan on attracting more investments from foreign companies, as recent amendments to Sarawak's laws now permit private entities to invest in power generation.
"This will certainly enable Sarawak to have approximately 2,500 MW of green energy from Batang Ai alone," he said, noting that it will result in boosting the aquaculture, hydropower, and solar sectors.
Abang Johari had earlier spent about 30 minutes visiting the floating solar farm site, located approximately 290 kilometres from Kuching city, which commenced construction in June 2023.
The project is a collaboration involving SEB, China Power International Holdings, and solar energy company Trina Solar.
Also present were Sarawak Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, his deputy Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi, and SEB chief executive officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili.
-- BERNAMA
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