Anwar: Kenyir's solar and hydrogen ventures to attract investors, boost Terengganu's regional connectivity
He said the new alternative energy initiative, a clean and green collaboration between Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), is aligned with both Malaysia's energy policy and international aspirations for green energy.
'Kenyir is now becoming a focal point of interest for international investors. This is not just a boost for Terengganu, but Kenyir itself will become a major attraction. The project has also been implemented efficiently and swiftly,' he said at the launch ceremony of the ventures at the Sultan Mahmud Power Station in Kenyir today.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir; Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar; TNB Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Razak Abdul Majid and Petronas Chairman Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh.
The HHFS and Green Hydrogen Hub aim to position Malaysia as a regional leader in the green hydrogen value chain, while supporting the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap (HETR).
The Green Hydrogen Hub is a strategic collaboration between Petronas and TNB while the HHFS project is a joint venture between TNB's power generation subsidiary, TNB Genco Sdn Bhd and Terengganu Inc, a state-owned company.
The pilot HHFS project at the Kenyir Dam has a capacity of 100 kilowatts (kW) and spans 1,085 square metres with 220 solar panels.
This demonstrates that Tasik Kenyir, which covers an area of 36,900 hectares, holds vast potential for floating solar development, with up to 10 per cent of the lake's surface suitable for generating an estimated 2,200 MW without disrupting the lake's ecology.
The prime minister also said the project is linked to the Asean Power Grid, a major regional initiative that will begin with an undersea cable project connecting Vietnam to Kota Bharu, Kelantan, before extending to Peninsular Malaysia's grid and eventually to Singapore.
'This means that from Vietnam, an undersea cable project will reach Kelantan, necessitating the construction of a new grid. The existing grid is considered insufficient in capacity.
'The new grid will start from Kelantan, then pass through Terengganu, and I believe it must be connected to the capabilities and infrastructure here in Kuala Berang and Kenyir, extending through Pahang, parts of Selangor, Johor and into Singapore,' he said.
As such, Anwar stressed that the HHFS and Green Hydrogen Hub projects are crucial, and all relevant parties must work together to expedite their implementation.
In addition, the prime minister called on Petronas and TNB to explore ways to provide Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), including upskilling programmes, specifically for local youths in Kuala Berang, Hulu Terengganu.
He said the relevant ministries, such as the Education Ministry, the Ministry of Higher Education, and the Human Resources Ministry, along with the Terengganu government, Petronas and TNB, should initiate specialised training programmes for local youths.
'I want to ensure that youths from Kuala Berang are given training opportunities, so that the people here won't say that while a major project is located here, their children are only able to open small restaurants or work as cleaners.
'It would be better to plan the training properly so there is a dedicated facility for the youths of Kuala Berang and Terengganu to undergo specialised training. I hope this can be expedited,' he said. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
PNB said to be exploring sale of Prolintas in deal worth up to RM3 billion
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — Malaysia's state-owned asset manager Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) is considering selling its toll road unit Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd (Prolintas) in a deal that could be worth as much as RM3 billion, according to Bloomberg. Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that PNB is working with a financial adviser on the potential divestment and has reached out to industry players and private equity firms to gauge interest. The discussions are still ongoing and PNB could ultimately decide to retain Prolintas, the sources said. In an emailed statement to Bloomberg, PNB said it regularly reviews its portfolio for opportunities to enhance value, including through divestments or strategic repositioning. 'As a long-term investor committed to delivering sustainable returns, PNB regularly reviews its investment portfolio for opportunities to enhance value, including potential divestments or strategic repositioning,' it reportedly said. 'All decisions are guided by a rigorous governance process aligned with our investment objectives." PNB was also reported saying that it does not comment on market speculation or rumours, and any material developments would be announced through the appropriate channels in line with regulatory requirements. According to Bloomberg data, merger and acquisition activity involving Malaysian companies has slumped about 46 per cent so far this year compared to the same period in 2024, with total deal value at around US$4.2 billion (RM19.7 billion). Established in 1995, Prolintas is fully owned by PNB and operates several expressways in the Klang Valley. Its listed unit, Prolintas Infra Business Trust Bhd, which holds some of the toll highway assets, has a market value of about RM1.1 billion. Prolintas also uses artificial intelligence and machine-learning systems to improve safety and operational efficiency.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Tengku Zafrul: No evidence of smuggled US AI chips in Malaysia so far
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has not found any evidence of incidents relating to the smuggling of high-performance artificial intelligence (AI) chips, said its minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. He said the ministry has been working closely with authorities such as the police, the Royal Malaysia Customs Department, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), as well as industry players to investigate the matter. 'So far, we have not found any (evidence). We have spoken to the United States (US) and big players to cooperate and work with us. If there is any evidence, we will definitely take action. The investigation continues,' he told a press conference on MITI's report card for the second quarter of 2025. According to Tengku Zafrul, the demand for AI chips in Malaysia has been high due to its growing data centre industry. 'I think that has raised some red flags because Malaysia has started to be a dominant player in the industry,' he said. On Monday, MITI issued a new directive imposing immediate controls on the export, transhipment, and transit of high-performance AI chips of US origin within Malaysia, under Section 12 of the Strategic Trade Act 2010. Tengku Zafrul emphasised that the government is committed to a transparent and lawful trading environment for all partners and investors. 'We want to ensure there is a responsible trade, and we are currently reviewing the listing of AI chips under the Strategic Item List (SIL). 'We also want to make sure that we are in compliance with international standards and obligations, he said, adding that it is to avoid secondary sanctions for the sake of the nation's industry and economy. — Bernama
Malaysian Reserve
2 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Mohamed Khaled: Third-batch LMS acquisition deal to be finalised after tabling of 13MP
KUALA LUMPUR — The decision on the acquisition of the third batch of the littoral mission ships (LMS) for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is expected to be finalised only after the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), slated for later this month. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (picture) confirmed this when addressing speculation surrounding the purchase of new naval vessels, following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent visit to Italy. 'All new acquisitions will be confirmed after the tabling of the 13MP. During the Prime Minister's recent visits to Italy and France, the matter was among the topics discussed. 'The countries involved have also expressed willingness to offer credit facilities should Malaysia proceed with any procurement involving their assets, which could include infrastructure or public amenities support,' he said at a press conference after launching the LTAT Foundation's Five Education Initiative Programmes, here today. On July 2, Anwar held meetings in Rome with leaders of major Italian defence and energy firms, including Fincantieri, Leonardo, and ENI, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the defence and energy sectors. The visit also saw the announcement of potential investments worth RM8.13 billion. During Mohamed Khaled's official visit to Türkiye in June last year, the Ministry of Defence had awarded a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for the procurement of three second-batch LMS vessels to Turkish defence firm Savunma Teknolojileri Muhendislik (STM). These second-batch LMS vessels are based on STM's Ada-class corvette design and are equipped for multiple roles, including patrol missions and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Each of the ships will also be armed with ATMACA surface-to-surface missiles and air defence systems. Capable of operating at sea for up to 14 days, each vessel can accommodate 111 crew members and will include a helipad and hangar for a medium-lift ASW helicopter or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Malaysia previously spent over RM1 billion to acquire four first-batch LMS vessels from China, which have been gradually integrated into the RMN's fleet since 2020. — BERNAMA
