Malaysia: Edra to build RM400 mln solar plant in Kedah

Malaysia: Edra to build RM400 mln solar plant in Kedah

The biggest investment seen in Kedah in years is set to become a reality
with a RM400 million solar power plant by Edra Power Holdings Sdn Bhd.

The plant in Kuala Ketil will turn the once agricultural land into an
industrial site and support the long-established industrial park in Kulim,
said Edra President and Executive Director Datuk Mark Ling.

"The importance of having the Kedah solar plant is that it could footprint
the first 50MWAC solar panel farm that will be the largest in Malaysia," he
told Bernama.

Edra, recently acquired by China's China General Nuclear Power Corp for
RM9.83 billion - the largest single foreign investment in Malaysia - was
excited to share the group's vast experience in Malaysia in such a large
renewable energy scheme, he said.

"The solar power plant is also to meet the government mix-fuel policy, that
there must be a mix of coal and gas and maybe hydro in line with efforts to
cut down the carbon emission footprint," he added.

Ling described solar energy as the most feasible renewable energy programme
in the country, which does not have the luxury of wind.

The Malaysian government via the Energy Commission has put in place all the
guidelines and processes for the bidding for renewable energy mix coming on
stream, renewable energy on the continuous yearly, half-yearly basis based
on different segments of the country to deliver and where land is a crucial
factor.

Ling said Kedah with abundant flat land in the right places proved to be the
ideal location for solar plants compared with states like Kelantan and
Terengganu which are more hilly.

"The stability of land is extremely important hence Kedah and Perlis are the
first pick," he said.

He gave full marks to the Kedah state government for its very encouraging
support to Edra's programme especially in the efficiency in the conversion
of the 200-acre land for the project.

The existence of the plant is also expected to give a big boost to the
state's own industrialisation pace as well as the Energy Commission's green
energy statement and Malaysia's going green programme.

Ling said the plant would also enhance local development in the area for the
community such as providing jobs and other spill-over effects.

"It will also eventually turn a lot of agricultural land in the state into
industrial land. Apart from the investment land development, there's also
clearly people migrating to live in Kedah because there will be businesses
created from job opportunities," he said.

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Link to Original Article:
http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/05/147173/edra-build-rm400-mln-solar-plant-k
edah

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com