Latest news with #ZairilKhirJohari
Free Malaysia Today
15 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang govt identifying locations for floating solar projects
State infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said areas such as the Teluk Bahang and Mengkuang dams were potential locations for the floating solar farms. (Bernama pic) GEORGE TOWN : The Penang government plans to develop floating solar projects in line with its efforts to achieve a target of 10% renewable energy by 2030. State infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the project was a suitable alternative in expanding the renewable energy sources due to the state's land constraints and the high cost of developing ground-mounted solar farms. Presently, he said, his team is considering strategic locations with potential to implement the project, including dam areas such as the Teluk Bahang dam and Mengkuang dam. 'Dams are most suitable for a floating solar project in terms of area and water stability, unlike the sea where there are unique challenges and even the panel installation methods are different. 'However, many matters need to be examined first, considering that the dams are sources of drinking water supply and are under the management of the Penang Water Supply Corporation. 'So, it requires approval and also more thorough study,' he told reporters after attending the Malaysian Photovoltaic Sustainable Energy Association Solar Roadshow 2025 here today. Zairil said the floating solar project would be important for the upcoming Silicon Island, with the area being actively developed and required renewable energy sources as an alternative energy supply. Therefore, he said, the state government would try to expedite the implementation of the project, especially to support development on the artificial island as the state's new green technology hub. 'It is really necessary for Silicon Island because the first area to be developed is the technology park. In two years, the factory will start operating, so we need renewable energy, especially solar.'
The Sun
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Penang explores floating solar projects for renewable energy goals
GEORGE TOWN: Penang plans to develop floating solar projects in line with the state government's efforts to achieve a target of 10 per cent renewable energy by 2030. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the project is seen as a suitable alternative in efforts to expand the use of renewable energy sources due to land constraints in Penang and the high cost of developing ground-mounted solar farms. He said presently, his team is considering various strategic locations with potential to implement the project, including dam areas such as the Teluk Bahang Dam and Mengkuang Dam. 'Dams are most suitable for a floating solar project in terms of area and water stability, unlike the sea where there are unique challenges and even the panel installation methods are different. 'However, many matters need to be examined first, considering that the dams are sources of drinking water supply and are under the management of the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP). So, it requires approval and also more thorough study,' he told reporters after attending the Malaysian Photovoltaic Sustainable Energy Association (MPSEA) Solar Roadshow 2025 here today. Zairil also emphasised the importance of the floating solar project in Silicon Island, considering the area is being actively developed and requires renewable energy sources as an alternative energy supply. Therefore, he said the state government will try to expedite the implementation of the project, especially to support development on the artificial island as the state's new green technology hub. 'It is really necessary on Silicon Island because the first area to be developed is the technology park. In two years, the factory will start operating, so we need renewable energy, especially solar,' he said. Earlier in his speech, Zairil said the state government is committed to promoting energy efficiency through the Penang Energy Framework adopted in 2024, which sets clear targets of 10 per cent renewable energy and 25 per cent energy efficiency improvements by 2030. 'The framework mandates the installation and use of renewable energy systems for all new non-residential buildings and also requires the collection of building energy intensity data for all buildings in Penang,' he also said. He added that the Penang government will also expand its energy framework to include energy use in other sectors, such as industry and transport. - Bernama
Barnama
a day ago
- Business
- Barnama
Penang Identifying Locations For Floating Solar Projects
GEORGE TOWN, July 29 (Bernama) -- Penang plans to develop floating solar projects in line with the state government's efforts to achieve a target of 10 per cent renewable energy by 2030. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the project is seen as a suitable alternative in efforts to expand the use of renewable energy sources due to land constraints in Penang and the high cost of developing ground-mounted solar farms. He said presently, his team is considering various strategic locations with potential to implement the project, including dam areas such as the Teluk Bahang Dam and Mengkuang Dam. 'Dams are most suitable for a floating solar project in terms of area and water stability, unlike the sea where there are unique challenges and even the panel installation methods are different. 'However, many matters need to be examined first, considering that the dams are sources of drinking water supply and are under the management of the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP). So, it requires approval and also more thorough study," he told reporters after attending the Malaysian Photovoltaic Sustainable Energy Association (MPSEA) Solar Roadshow 2025 here today. Zairil also emphasised the importance of the floating solar project in Silicon Island, considering the area is being actively developed and requires renewable energy sources as an alternative energy supply. Therefore, he said the state government will try to expedite the implementation of the project, especially to support development on the artificial island as the state's new green technology hub. "It is really necessary on Silicon Island because the first area to be developed is the technology park. In two years, the factory will start operating, so we need renewable energy, especially solar," he said. Earlier in his speech, Zairil said the state government is committed to promoting energy efficiency through the Penang Energy Framework adopted in 2024, which sets clear targets of 10 per cent renewable energy and 25 per cent energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Penang govt evaluating locations for floating solar projects
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is assessing several strategic locations, including dams and coastal water bodies, to implement floating solar projects as part of efforts to strengthen its Renewable Energy (RE) sources. State Infrastructure, Transport and Utilities Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said locations under consideration included the Teluk Bahang Dam, Mengkuang Dam and waters near the Penang Port. He said that land-based solar farms were not ideal for Penang due to the scarcity and high value of available land. Therefore, he said, installing solar panels on water surfaces was seen as a more practical alternative. "Floating solar is a real possibility for Penang because we are surrounded by water. We are evaluating several sites, including dams and offshore areas," he said after officiating a solar roadshow here today. Zairil, however, noted that if a dam was used for potable water, like those at Teluk Bahang and Mengkuang, more rigorous studies and approvals would be necessary. Zairil said the floating solar technology had already been successfully implemented in several countries, and Penang was keen on exploring it, particularly to support Silicon Island, which is in the early phase of development. He said the first phase of Silicon Island involved the creation of a Technology Park, with factories expected to begin operations within the next two years. "This drives the need for renewable energy sources like solar to support demand. "However, the development plan for Silicon Island has already allocated 40 per cent of land for infrastructure, 30 per cent for green technology parks, and the remainder for commercial and residential use, making land-based solar farms unlikely," he added. Zairil also pointed out that private entities intending to sell solar-generated power to the national grid must obtain approval from the Energy Commission and participate in the relevant regulatory schemes. If the power is for self-consumption — such as the proposal by Penang Port — the process is significantly simpler and faster. In a related development, Zairil said Penang aimed to achieve 10 per cent renewable energy usage and 25 per cent energy efficiency by 2030 through the Penang Energy Framework introduced last year. This framework also mandates renewable energy integration in new non-residential buildings and will be expanded to the industrial and transportation sectors to reduce carbon emissions.
Malay Mail
12-07-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Saying hedge can't replace a 30‑year‑old tree, Penang activists sound alarm as green cover shrinks
GEORGE TOWN, July 12 — More than 240 trees have been cut for two transport mega‑projects, drawing warnings that Penang's green canopy is thinning too fast. The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) oversees 43,668 urban trees, but environmentalists say crucial mature specimens are being sacrificed for the Air Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass and the Penang Hill cable‑car line, The Star reported today. 'Trees are not just aesthetic features. They provide vital shade, reduce urban heat, filter air pollutants and support wildlife. 'With each tree lost, we lose part of our natural defence against climate change and urban stress,' Malaysian Nature Society Penang adviser D. Kanda Kumar was quoted as saying. 'A hedge or shrub cannot replace the ecological function of a 30‑year‑old tree,' he added. State infrastructure and transport chairman Zairil Khir Johari said tree removals are 'necessary to implement key transport infrastructure aimed at easing congestion and improving connectivity.' 'For the Air Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass, the initial proposal by developer Consortium Zenith Construction involved 500 trees. 'But after careful planning and adjustments, only 100 trees were removed,' he said. On the Penang Hill cable car, Zairil said Penang Hill Corporation and partner Hartasuma Sdn Bhd have identified 145 trees to be felled, mostly low‑value species at the multi‑storey car‑park and Garden Station sites. 'Only six trees are affected at the Hill Station, primarily African tulip (Spathodea campanulata), while along the cable‑car alignment and at the turn station location, a total of 41 trees have been identified for potential impact,' he was quoted as saying. He said any removals inside the forest reserve are being coordinated with the Forestry Department, and 'a similar number of replacement trees will be planted in suitable nearby areas.' MBPP requires all developers to replace felled trees, state local government chairman Jason H'ng Mooi Lye added. 'Among them is a rare baobab tree, estimated to be around 150 years old, in Jalan Macalister. It's one of the oldest and most iconic trees on the island,' he was quoted as saying. Penang's digital inventory lists 446 over‑mature trees aged 60‑100 years and 3,267 mature trees aged 40‑60 years, while authorities on the mainland count another 147,833 trees across three districts.
