Malaysia One Hundred, together with the Office of the Member of Parliament for Ipoh Timor, YB Howard Lee, collaborated to launch an innovative renewable energy pilot project in Government-Assisted Schools (SBK) within the Ipoh and Kinta area. This initiative marks a crucial milestone in our shared mission to support Malaysia’s transition to renewable energy, aligning with the ambitious goals outlined in the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
The initiative involves the installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels in selected SBKs in the Kinta District. This initiative is a direct response to the increasing electricity costs faced by schools, and it exemplifies the commitment of Malaysia One Hundred to promote sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions in the education sector. The initiative is also strategically aligned with Malaysia’s national target of achieving 70% renewable energy by 2050, a goal that is critical for the nation’s energy security and environmental sustainability.
In collaboration with GSPARX Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the project aims to gather 15 schools to generate a collective capacity of 1 megawatt of solar energy, with an expected investment of RM3 million. This large-scale installation is projected to deliver annual energy bill savings of RM200,000 for the participating schools. In the first meeting, 14 schools in the Kinta district signed a Memorandum of Commitment with GSPARX. Through the NEM 3.0 program, these schools have the opportunity not only to save costs but also to contribute to a greener and more sustainable energy future.
Via the implementation of the NEM 3.0 program, the schools involved in this project will not only achieve significant cost savings but will also play a critical role in driving the nation toward a greener and more sustainable energy future. The program offers a dual benefit of reducing operational costs for educational institutions while also contributing to the broader national goal of reducing carbon emissions.
This project is also part of a broader trend of significant investments in solar power across Asia, a continent that has rapidly become a global leader in renewable energy. Many of the world’s top solar power generators are based in Asia, with China holding the top spot as the global leader in solar photovoltaics usage. Since surpassing Germany in 2015, China has maintained its dominance, and by the end of 2023, Chinese energy companies had amassed 2919 GW of cumulative installed solar capacity โ an enormous leap from 2016’s total of 77 GW. This extraordinary growth has been propelled by China’s position as the world’s largest manufacturer of solar panels, driving both domestic and international markets.
YB Howard Leeโs recent engagements with Chinaโs leading renewable energy companies underscore the importance of international collaboration in driving Malaysiaโs renewable energy agenda. These meetings have laid the groundwork for knowledge exchange, investment opportunities, and technology transfers that will benefit Malaysia’s energy transition efforts. The insights gained from these discussions have directly influenced the design and implementation of the solar energy pilot project in Ipoh, ensuring that Malaysia One Hundred and our partners are leveraging global best practices to achieve our ambitious renewable energy goals.
Malaysia One Hundred believes that this initiative will set a new standard for energy sustainability in Malaysia’s education sector, demonstrating that with strategic collaboration and innovative solutions, significant progress can be made toward a more sustainable future.
