KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's biggest single floating photovoltaic (PV) facility, the Bestari Solar Project, begins construction on Tuesday following a launch and ground-breaking ceremony in Selangor state.
The completed facility will generate approximately 640 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, meeting the power needs of 150,000 local households and is the first large-scale floating PV project by Edra Power Holdings, a subsidiary of China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), which is among the largest independent power producers in Malaysia.
Selangor state Chief Minister Amirudin Shari said in his keynote speech at the launch that the facility will accelerate Selangor's commitment with the federal government's agenda as set out in the New Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and in line with the energy demands to power its economic activities.
"In Selangor's context, solar is a practical solution because it can be delivered at scale and within a shorter timeframe. In Malaysia, solar has become one of the most rapidly expanding renewable sources in recent years, reflecting strong national support for clean energy. Solar supports energy reliability for growth," he said.
For his part, Zhang Chaoqun, president of CGN Energy International Holdings Co Limited, said smooth progress of the project would not have been possible without the concerted efforts of all parties involved and that this cooperation reflects effective public-private collaboration in delivering strategic infrastructure that serves long-term public interest.
"We firmly believe that the Bestari Solar Project can serve as another model of China-Malaysia cooperation in clean energy, one that reflects the close collaboration and friendship between the governments, peoples, and enterprises of both countries, and our shared commitment to green and sustainable development," he said.
Developed under the government's fifth Large-Scale Solar (LSS5) program, the project will contribute to Malaysia's renewable energy capacity and support national efforts to achieve the target of 40 percent renewable energy capacity by 2035.
The project also supports Selangor's green economy through sustainable land use, investment attraction and long-term socio-economic benefits. ■