Installation of government solar system could save RM115 million a year - Alexander Nanta

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 14: Installation of photovoltaic solar systems at government premises across the country has the potential to save energy costs up to RM115 million per year compared to conventional electricity consumption.

Minister of Public Works, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said that the initiative through the Department of Public Works (JKR) involves installation of grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems (GCPV) and off-grid photovoltaic systems (OGPV).

He said the project includes 46 Federal Government buildings, 283 rural schools in Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia as well as four Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) border posts and an Orang Asli village.

"This is the government's desire to reduce carbon emissions and save electricity costs for building operations.

"Energy cost savings are estimated to reach RM115 million per year and we hope this programme can be continued in the future so that savings can be improved", he said.

He said this at a press conference after attending the Presentation Meeting of Solar Fotovoltaic Connected Grid Installation Project in Government Buildings, which was also attended by Minister for External Affairs, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, in Wisma Putra today.

Meanwhile in a separate statement, the Ministry of Public Works (KKR) announced that the five projects submitted involve six government premises, including the Ministry of External Affairs, National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM), Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) and Department of Irrigation and Sewerage (JPS).

The project has a total installed capacity of 779.86 kilowatt maximum (kWp) and has the potential to generate 1,070 megawatts-hours (MWj) of electricity annually, thus avoiding an estimated 791 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) emissions per year.

The initiative is in line with the country's aspiration to achieve zero-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as well as the National Energy Transition Requirement Plan (NETR).

Overall, the solar installation program in the government building received an allocation of RM57.6 million from the Ministry of Economy, with an initial target of nine megawatts peak installed capacity (MWp) on Peninsular Malaysia. - TVS