Solarvest secures Brunei's largest solar project, boosting order book to RM1.3 billion
KUCHING (June 19): Solarvest Holdings Berhad has secured Brunei's largest 30 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant project, a move analysts say will strengthen its earnings visibility and boost its outstanding order book.
The team with Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga Research) said the contract, worth RM100, will lift the group's year-to-date (YTD) job wins to RM604 million, on track to to hit its target of RM1.2 billion in financial year 2026 (FY26).
The house also expects the project to deliver gross profit margin between 13 to 15 per cent, contributing to a total order book of RM1.3 billion.
On June 16, the group said the project will be undertaken through Seri Suria Power (B) Sdn Bhd, a joint venture Solarvest's wholly-owned subsidiary Atlantic Blue (34 per cent), Serikandi Oilfield Services (36 per cent), and Khazanah Satu (30 per cent).
The JV also signed a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Brunei's Department of Electrical Services (DES), under the Prime Minister's Office to develop and operate a 30MWac solar Kampong Belimbing, Kota Batu.
Construction is expected to begin in the third quarter this year with completion targeted by the end of 2026.
The engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) work will be handled by Serikandi Solarvest, a separate JV between Solarvest Borneo (49 per cent) and Serikandi Holdings (51 per cent).
'This contract adds positively to Solarvest's job wins, bringing its YTD tally to RM604 million. It also lifts the group's total order book to RM1.3 billion, comprising 81 per cent large-scale solar (LSS) and 19 per cent commercial and industrial (C&I) projects.
'This will keep the group busy for at least over the next 18 months,' Kenanga Research said.
The house added that the project is expected to yield a higher tariff of 18 to 20 sen per kilowatt-hour (kWh) compared to the 13 to 16 sen per kWh rate under Malaysia's LSS5 programme.
Based on current panel prices, the internal rate of return (IRR) is estimated at around 10 per cent.
RHB Investment Bank in a separate note said management expects the project's IRR to be in line with Malaysia-based projects, ranging from high single digits to low teens.
The total capital expenditure is estimated at BND35 million, structured with a 70:30 debt-to-equity ratio.
Based on Solarvest's 34 per cent stake, the project is expected to contribute RM2 to RM3 million in earnings per year. Excluding project financing, the group's net gearing is projected to rise to approximately 0.21 times. brunei corporate news solar energy Solarvest
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