Kumpulan Melaka to build second Solar PV farm this year

We have nothing but admiration for Melaka's determination and quest for more energy generated from renewable sources. Latest in its list of green technology initiative is the proposed RM20 mil second solar farm.

Last year, Kumpulan Melaka Berhad opened the country's first state-owned solar farm. The 5 MW solar photovoltaic farm involved an investment of about RM46 million.

Launching of Melaka's first solar PV farm in 2012 by then Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam. NST pic.

Note:
The solar farm was created in three phases: The first (1.3MW) was completed in April 2013, second phase (1.22MW) in May 2013 and the final phase of 2.48MW was completed in August 2013.




Second solar farm to cost RM20 million

Kumpulan Melaka Bhd is investing approximately RM20 million to build and operate its second solar farm in Melaka this year.

Technical Manager KhairulEzuan Harun said the new solar farm is projected to have two megawatts (MWp) of solar photovoltaic (PV) sprawled on 2.8 hectares.

The solar valley would apply solar energy as the primary alternative activities for all sectors which would encompass land development, research, innovation and commercialisation, he said.

"However, the solar farm project is also subject to Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA) quota as they need to get more funds," he told Bernama.

SEDA will set a quota on the amount of solar power systems that can be installed in every six months. KhairulEzuan said SEDA has yet to announce when the new quota will be released but once the quota is unveiled, the group will proceed with the project.

All power generated by the solar farm will be sold to power giant Tenaga Nasional Bhd, and the electricity will be channelled directly into the National Power Grid.

Late last year, the Melaka state government launched the first state-owned 5MWp solar PV farm in the country, which cost RM46 million. The solar farm, built on a 7.2ha site at the Rembia Industrial Park is one of the five key projects realising Melaka's ambition to become a green technology city-state by 2020.

The park was created in three phases. The first phase, to produce 1.3MW electricity, was completed in April last year, followed by 1.22MW electricity under the second phase in May last year and the final phase of 2.48MW in August last year.

The first solar farm in Melaka, which is expected to create 45,000 jobs, is poised to contribute a total of RM118 million of gross national income for 21 years, he added. - Sourced from: Bernama, January 30, 2014.


TheGreenMechanics' two cents:

The date for the release and volume of the new renewable energy quota for 2014 under the FIT programme will be announced by SEDA next month, during the International Sustainable Energy Summit.

Big RE players such as Kumpulan Melaka, Cypark, etc., would be eyeing for big chunk of the pie but let's hope everyone has equal chance of getting the cut. The non-individual quota is the one that would be snapped up as soon as it is announced. 

There should be mechanism in place to enable more organisations to take part in the green technology initiative. Attempt by some to win big quota and then distributing them to others in umbrella concept must be curtailed.

Melaka launched first Electric bus, travel 300 km

Thumbs up to Melaka.

The historic state has came up with a common but fine idea on sustainability - zero emission public transport. With 300km of traveling distance, the bus will travel from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan before needing a recharge. (That is, if it was made available in Sabah).

 
Thumb up! Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron at the launch of the state's first electric bus.
ABN-news pic.


First electric bus to hit the roads on 7 January 2013

Melaka's first electric bus will hit the streets on Wednesday in Bandar Hilir area as part of a trial service for three months, said Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron.

The service was free for users during the duration of the trial as a promotion exercise, and also to study the most suitable routes and reasonable fare rates for the journey.

The electric bus that operates under the state government subsidiary, Panorama Melaka Sdn Bhd, will take the route through historical areas and tourist attractions in Bandar Hilir such as the Stadhuys Building, Heroes Square, Bukit Senjuang, Mahkota Parade and Kota Laksamana.

"Once we are able to access suitable routes we will determine how many buses we will use in the future, for the time being we will start with one," he told reporters after test driving the bus in Seri Negeri.

The bus which costs RM1.35 million, adopts green technology from China and can travel as far as 300 km before needing a recharge and can accommodate a maximum of 60 passengers at a time.

"The state government will also create a 'soft policy' where, any vehicle using green technology will be allowed to pass through the heritage areas especially in front of the Porta de Santiago (A-Famosa) and the Declaration of Independence Memorial building," said Idris.

Source: BERNAMA, Photo:ABN News

TheGreenMechanics:

Sure, the initial investment is high. But that  is a bold move to towards independence from the finite fossil fuel.

Less noise, no fume and no toxic smelly exhaust, and potentially provide spin up businesses. I'd say great initiative Melaka.

Next, they could put up solar PV panels on the bus roof and that would help recharge the battery while the bus is on the move or while parked waiting for passengers.

Malacca to build first solar farm, RM46 million

Malacca is well on course to achieve its target to become a Green Technology City State in 2020. Last month the government kicked off the construction of the first state-owned solar farm in the country.  Hats off to the team!

Not to deny the effort of other conglomerates and the private sector, but Malacca has to be given credit for the initiative. It started it's green initiative long before the feed-in tariff structure was drawn out by SEDA. The other notable solar installation is Cypark's Pajam 8MW solar park in Negeri Sembilan.


Malacca solar farm quick facts

Plant capacity     : 5MWp, to be constructed in 3 phases:-

                        Phase 1: 1.3MW to be completed in December 2012
                        Phase 2: 1.22MW to be completed in January 2013
                        Phase 3: 2.48MW to be completed in February 2013

Investment           : RM46 million (US$14.8 mil)
Area                     : 7,248.43ha
Location               : Rembia Industrial Area
Tenure                 : 21 years REPPA with TNB

Estimated energy produced :

              Daily        - 17 MWh
              Monthly   - 514 MWh
              Annually  - 6,162 MWh

Example:
If the FIT rate is RM0.98 per kWh of energy produced, annual revenue based on the above estimated figure would be (6,162,000 x 0.98) = RM6.04 mil. So, yes, it is a viable investment and it create job opportunity for the people. Plus, there will be spin-off business activities, at lease in Malacca.

I am assuming that this production is based on solar irradiation of 3 to 3.5 hours a day, which is quite conservative, but perhaps taking into account rainy days as well. We understand that in Sabah the good sun irradiation period is longer.

Projected profit: RM73 million after 21 years

Chief Minister of Malacca, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam (second from left), gestures as they look a sample of the solar panel at the launch of the solar farm at Melaka World Solar Valley. Photo: Mohd Khairul Helmy Mohd Din/NST



Malacca to build solar farm at Rembia Industrial Area
(NST, August 4, 2012)

ALOR GAJAH: THE Malacca government will be the first in the country to build and operate its own solar farm, costing RM46 million, in line with its mission to be a green technology city state by 2020.

The 5MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) solar farm will be built on a 7,248.43ha site at the Melaka World Solar Valley in the Rembia Industrial Area.

This will be done in three phases -- the first phase to produce 1.3MW will be completed in December, the second phase (1.22MW) will be ready by January next year and the final phase (2.48MW) in February. The project is being developed by Kumpulan Melaka Berhad (KMB), which is wholly owned by Chief Minister Incorporated.

The proposed solar farm to be build at Melaka Solar World Valley.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said all the power generated by the solar farm would be sold to Tenaga Nasional Berhad and the electricity would be channelled directly into the national power grid (NPG).

"The power harvested from sunlight will be channelled into the NPG in three phases obtained which will be on Dec 15, and Jan 15 and Feb 15 next year."

He also said the plant would be able to supply 17MW a day to the NPG. "In a month we will be able to sell 514MW to TNB and in a year, it will come up to 6,162MW.

"We expect that after servicing the RM41 million loan which we had taken from the Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad (MDV), a company owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, we would be able to make a profit of RM73 million after 21 years."

Rustam said this after performing the groundbreaking for the plant and witnessing the signing of the agreement to finance the project between KMB and MDV at the Melaka World Solar Valley yesterday.

Present were Energy, Green Technology and Water Deputy Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon and Sustainable Energy Development Authority chairman Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn, who is also Alor Gajah MP. Mohd Ali said two more solar farms would be developed in Jasin and the Krubong landfill.