OCT 21
• Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) is to power the Sarawak Data Centre Park (SDCP) project, the state’s first energy-efficient four data centre hub to be located here.
Wholly-owned subsidiary Syarikat Sesco Bhd has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Netrunner Sdn Bhd on the sale and purchase of electricity for the project.
• The power and utilities sector will see a strong multi-decade growth, driven mainly by the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
TA Research, which has reaffirmed its “overweight” rating on the sector, said the country’s focus on decarbonising its energy grid, particularly through renewable energy (RE) expansion, is a key factor in this positive outlook.
OCT 22
• Samaiden Group Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiary Samaiden Capital Management Sdn Bhd and Chudenko (M) Sdn Bhd have entered into a shareholders agreement with their joint venture company, Samaiden Chudenko Renewables Sdn Bhd, to undertake a joint investment in solar photovoltaic or PV facilities and related services.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Samaiden said the agreement set out the rights and obligations of each party to jointly undertake project investments in the renewable energy industry and to regulate the affairs and rights of each shareholder.
OCT 24
• The number of electric-powered vehicles (xEV) reached 33,3319 units as of Sept 30, 2024, representing about 5% of the total industry volume, says Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
xEV includes battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid EV (PHEVs), hybrid EVs (HEVs) and fuel cell EVs.
“The government views the use of HEVs and PHEVs as still relevant to achieving its targets, as the EV vehicles support the country’s ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050,” he said.
OCT 25
• Competition in the automotive sector is expected to heat up as Malaysia aims to raise electric vehicle (EV) adoption to 15% of total industry volume (TIV) by 2030 compared with 5% as of September 2024.
According to Affin Hwang Investment Bank Research, advancements in battery technology and safety, advanced EV safety features and transition to a low-carbon economy have resulted in greater motivation to adopt EVs.
By 2025, it expects EV adoption to rise to 80% compared with the current adoption of 5% or 33,319 units of TIV as at September this year.
OCT 26
• Gamuda Bhd has received a letter of award from Upper Padas Power Sdn Bhd (UPPSB) to be the total development contractor (TDC) for the 187.5MW Ulu Padas Hydroelectric Project in Tenom and Sipitang, Sabah.
In a statement, Gamuda said that together with its joint-venture partner, Conlay Construction Sdn Bhd, they will incorporate a new joint venture (JV) to be the TDC worth RM3.05bil.
OCT 30
Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) will continue advancing its efforts into energy transition as it renews its commitment of working together with the government to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Razak Abdul Majid said in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap, key initiatives had been set up and ongoing.
NOV 1
• Cypark Resources Bhd has been granted an extension of time (EoT) for the long-delayed completion of its third cycle of large scale solar (LSS3) photovoltaic plant of 100MW in Merchang, Terengganu.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Cypark announced that its 70%-owned subsidiary, Cypark Suria Merchang Sdn Bhd (CSM), had received a notification letter from the Energy Commission (EC) that the application for EoT had been approved by the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry for the achievement of the commercial operation date (COD) for its LSS3 project.
NOV 5
• SD Guthrie Bhd has partnered with AME Elite Consortium Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiary, AME Industrial Park Sdn Bhd, to develop a green industrial park on 259ha within SD Guthrie’s Kulai estate in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
In a joint statement, the companies highlighted that the upcoming industrial park is set to adhere to stringent environmental standards and sustainable practices.
• Malaysian public-listed companies (PLCs) are showing progress in adopting the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (MCCG), according to the Securities Commission (SC) Corporate Governance Monitor (CG Monitor) 2024 report.
The regulator said that 30 out of the 48 best practices recorded adoption levels above 90%, highlighting the commitment of many PLCs to sound corporate governance.
• RAM Sustainability Sdn Bhd has awarded a Platinum rating, its highest sustainability rating, to Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd (Masteel) for its leadership in sustainability backed by extremely strong ESG fundamentals.
NOV 6
• Nuclear as an energy source is essential for Malaysia to achieve net zero by 2050 and is expected to be included in the 13th Malaysia Plan, says Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli.
“I can mention openly now, nuclear is on the table – because without nuclear and if we were to miss one or two (options), it’s quite difficult for Malaysia to achieve net zero by 2050,” he said during an industry dialogue session at the National OGSE Blueprint Forum 2024.
NOV 11
• Malaysia’s abundant renewable energy sources will ease the electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure development within the country, said Geely Holdings Group global communication lead Ashley Sutcliffe.
Referencing Malaysia’s renewable energy potential, he said the country is set to become a new energy leader.
Sutcliffe highlighted the importance of government initiatives in starting infrastructure, stating that, “once the government gives it that first push, the stone just keeps rolling”.
NOV 13
• Solarvest Holdings Bhd’s 30% owned subsidiary Selarong Pertama Energy Sdn Bhd (SPESB) has been approved by Tenaga Nasional Bhd to operate as a merchant generator.
SPESB is authorised to sell energy to the single buyer with a capacity of 29.99-megawatt alternating current (MWac), and this facility will be located in Kulim, Kedah.
• More clarity has been shed on Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s hybrid hydro floating solar (HHFS) project, a key flagship initiative under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), as well as its Sungai Perak Hydro Scheme Life Extension Programme (LEP), which aims to prolong the life and enhance the earnings potential of the group’s hydro assets.
NOV 14
• China-based Kibing Group has committed to build a new RM7.2bil solar glass manufacturing plant in the Kimanis area, about 40km south of the Sabah capital, with the exchange of documents with the two state government-linked companies.
The first was the exchange of the sublease agreement between the group’s subsidiary SBH Kibing Solar New Energy (M) Sdn Bhd and Fokasrama Sdn Bhd, a wholy-owned subsidiary of the Sawit Kinabalu Group.
The second exchange of documents was for the heads of agreement between SBH Kibing Solar New Energy (M) Sdn Bhd and Sabah Energy Corp Sdn Bhd (SEC) to supply 25 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas to support the new factory’s operations.
NOV 15
• IOI Properties Group Bhd’s (IOIProp) decision to install solar panels at its mall, IOI City Mall in Putrajaya was not only a decision made for the environment but one that makes business sense as well.
Group chief operating officer Teh Chin Guan said from a business aspect, embracing sustainability made complete sense because going green has become an increasingly important aspect in how businesses are run.
NOV 21
• Malaysia aims to establish itself as a leading hub for green investments to drive sustainable growth, says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
“Through the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), Malaysia aims to establish itself as a leading hub for green investments by promoting supportive policies and fostering strategic collaborations to drive sustainable growth,’ he stated during the country’s address at the Ministerial Roundtable on Urbanisation and Climate Change.
