Masdar, Sarawak Energy, and Gentari have joined forces to explore the feasibility of a large-scale floating solar energy project in Malaysia. The initiative, part of broader efforts to advance renewable energy in the region, seeks to harness Malaysia’s vast water bodies for solar energy generation. The companies aim to assess the potential environmental, technical, and economic factors influencing the deployment of such a project, which could mark a significant milestone in the country’s transition to green energy.
Sarawak Energy, a key player in the region’s energy sector, is already advancing its own floating solar farm project, with construction of the Batang Ai Floating Solar Farm underway. This 50MW facility, slated to be the largest of its kind in Malaysia, is set for commissioning by late 2024 . The Batang Ai project, which integrates solar energy with hydropower, demonstrates the growing focus on hybrid energy solutions that combine solar generation with established renewable resources like hydropower.
The collaboration between Masdar, a global renewable energy leader, Gentari, a clean energy provider under the Petronas umbrella, and Sarawak Energy, aligns with Malaysia’s broader sustainability goals. The country is aiming to enhance its renewable energy capacity significantly by 2030 as part of its commitment to carbon reduction and sustainable development. The floating solar initiative fits into these objectives by leveraging Malaysia’s extensive water reservoirs, an ideal platform for solar generation that does not compete with land-based resources.
One of the key advantages of floating solar technology is its reduced land footprint, which is crucial in regions like Malaysia where urban expansion and agricultural needs limit the availability of land for large-scale solar farms. By deploying solar panels on bodies of water, the project could bypass these limitations while also potentially reducing water evaporation, a critical concern in areas facing water scarcity.
The floating solar project aligns with the Malaysian government’s renewable energy roadmap, which emphasizes a transition towards more sustainable and diversified energy sources. The collaboration between Sarawak Energy and its partners is expected to pave the way for similar projects across the country, contributing to the country’s 10GW renewable energy target by 2030. Sarawak Energy has expressed interest in expanding this floating solar technology across other reservoirs, including Bakun and Murum, which are also critical to its renewable energy strategy.
The technical and environmental feasibility assessments, expected to take place over the coming months, will evaluate key factors such as the impact on local ecosystems, the durability of materials in Malaysia’s tropical climate, and the efficiency of solar panels in floating configurations. These factors are crucial in determining whether the project can be scaled to a national level.