KAB, Northern Solar eye opportunities in renewable energy reforms under 13MP
Northern Solar managing director SK Lew welcomed the government's efforts to create a more transparent and competitive electricity market in Malaysia.
He said initiatives such as the Community Renewable Energy Aggregation Mechanism (Cream), Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Programme (Cress), and investment in Battery Energy Storage Systems reflect a clear commitment to strengthening the country's renewable energy infrastructure.
'Northern Solar is strategically positioned to capitalise on these developments,' Lew told SunBiz.
'We are actively exploring and participating in the Cream and Cress programmes, which are set to broaden market opportunities in the renewable energy sector significantly.'
He added that the focus on integrating battery storage solutions aligns with the company's strategic direction, enhancing the value of the solar photovoltaic projects delivered to commercial and industrial clients.
'With our strengthened financial capacity post-listing, technical expertise and robust project pipeline, we are confident in our ability to play an active and meaningful role in advancing Malaysia's energy transition under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), while delivering long-term sustainable growth and value to our shareholders and stakeholders,' he said.
Unveiling the 13MP on Thursday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted that the green economy is poised for further expansion, supported by the NETR.
Malaysia aims to increase its share of renewable energy from 29% to 35% by 2030. Key initiatives include the development of battery energy storage systems, floating solar-hydro hybrids in Kenyir, and a hydrogen hub in Sarawak.
The government is also exploring the potential of nuclear energy as part of its clean energy mix.
'Malaysia must rise as an Asian economy known not just for growth, but for value creation and sustainability,' said Anwar.
These efforts align with carbon trading strategies, the National Carbon Market Policy, and investments in waste-to-energy infrastructure.
Meanwhile, KAB executive deputy chairman and group managing director Datuk Lai Keng Onn said the government's bold reforms under 13MP – particularly the move towards a transparent electricity market – will better reflect the actual cost of power generation.
He noted that this progressive approach will accelerate renewable energy deployment, strengthen carbon reduction efforts, and widen participation through mechanisms such as Cream.
'As 13MP drives attention towards renewable energy acceleration, including the development of mini hydropower, the recently announced Sabah project sets a positive tone for broader adoption.
'This is in line with KAB's growth trajectory. We have received approval from the Sustainable Energy Development Authority under the FiT 2.0 programme for two hydropower facilities, which will deliver a combined 8.04MW of clean energy, supported by a 21-year tariff mechanism.
'This mirrors national strategies and signals our readiness to contribute meaningfully,' Lai said.
He added that KAB's recent milestones – including FiT 2.0 approvals, a major RM646 million EPCC contract for a 120MW gas engine power plant, and a multiproject partnership in Perak – underscore the group's continued role in shaping Malaysia's energy landscape.
'As frameworks like 13MP, Cream and the Corporate Green Power Programme take form, KAB remains focused on supporting national sustainability goals through scalable and inclusive energy solutions,' Lai said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
19 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: Agrofood sector set for major reforms under 13MP
THE 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) has big ideas for the agrofood sector. High time, we say. It has been treated as a stepchild since the country transitioned to manufacturing in the 1980s. That should change by 2030, when the 13MP reforms the sector, leading to RM58 billion in value creation. Self-sufficiency rates are also being scaled up to 80 per cent for rice, 98 per cent for fisheries, 83 per cent for fruits, 79 per cent for vegetables, 140 per cent for poultry, 123 per cent for eggs and 50 per cent for beef and buffalo meat. Ambitious? Yes, given that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has to hit the targets within five years, on top of resolving numerous issues plaguing the agrofood sector. Surely, an unenviable task. Land is a big ticket item, with most of what is available being devoted to industrial crops such as oil palm and rubber, because they are more profitable. In 2020, 7.6 million hectares of arable land was used for agriculture, of which 5.2 million was dedicated to industrial crops. Little wonder, our Asean neighbours' agrofood products are everywhere. Former director of Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Rozhan Abu Dardak, provides another reason why this is so in his article published in the Food and Fertilizer Technology Centre Agricultural Policy Platform website on April 14: Vietnam dedicated 33 million hectares for rice cultivation. Thailand 9.2 million hectares, Indonesia 10.6 million hectares and the Philippines 5.6 million hectares. What about Malaysia? Of the 996,950ha dedicated to the agrofood sector, only 373,383ha is being used to cultivate rice. The rest is used for growing fruits, other food crops and vegetables, the last, a measly 64,220ha to work on. If that is not enough, the agrofood sector has to compete with industries and housing for land. More land for agrofood should certainly be a reform to aim for. There is one reality our policymakers often miss. Malaysia is a land of small things. Like the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that dominate the country's economy, so do small-scale farms. According to Rozhan, more than 90 per cent of Malaysian farmers own small plots of land, averaging 2.5ha per person. Logically, bigger means better yields. But that doesn't mean technology can't be made to work on small plots to increase yields. Like we have learnt to live with SMEs, we must learn to live with small-scale farms. What the agrofood sector reform should focus on are the farms themselves: the what and how of the trade. The skyrocketing prices of farm inputs, too, are making farming a challenging vocation. Farmers need help. Providing subsidies to those who deserve it is one way. The 13MP's move to incentivise young agroentrepreneurs takes the reform to a good place. We are a nation of old farmers, most of whom are in their 60s. At that age, farming is a struggle. Malaysians will be keeping a keen eye on the agrofood sector reforms, because what happens in the farms will determine whether or not we have home-grown food on the table.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
13MP: Ministry to develop price and supply repository system
PENAMPANG: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will develop a Price and Supply Repository System during the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Its minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, said the system would enable the government to monitor prices and supply comprehensively from producers and wholesalers to retailers and consumers. "With this supply and pricing data chain, the government can monitor more effectively and detect manipulation by middlemen who inflate prices. "The ministry will collaborate with various ministries, including the Economy Ministry and the Finance Ministry," he said. He was speaking to reporters after launching the Madani Nationhood Seminar organised by Akademi Kenegaraan Malaysia (AKM) at the International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC) here today. Armizan said the system will not only strengthen the food supply chain but also help detect exactly where price hikes or manipulation occur within the distribution process. At the same time, a study on the factors behind price differences in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan was launched this year. A separate Price Stability Committee has been established for each state. He said that the committee, co-chaired by himself and Sabah Community Development and People's Well-being Minister, Datuk James Ratib, will evaluate five key items in Sabah, including chicken prices. Armizan also said a preliminary report had already been presented by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) for Sabah and Labuan, while Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) is conducting the study for Sarawak. "UMS has proposed five essential items that can be addressed in the short term to solve the issue. "We will examine their initial findings before proceeding to the second phase of the study," he said. – Bernama
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Sarawak aligns tourism development with RMK13 investment zones
KUCHING: The Sarawak government has expressed readiness to align its tourism development strategies with the newly announced tourism investment zones under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13). Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak's Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, stated that while the state already possesses strong tourism offerings, further collaboration with federal initiatives will enhance mutual benefits. 'If the tourism investment zones include areas like Mulu, Niah, the Kuching Delta, and the Rainforest World Music Festival, then we are already aligned. We just need deeper discussions,' he said. He emphasised the importance of avoiding overlaps and instead strengthening ongoing and future efforts. Sarawak's tourism sector has shown promising growth this year, with visitor numbers nearing five million and revenue surpassing RM1 billion. Abdul Karim, who also oversees youth and entrepreneurial development, stressed that socioeconomic programs for bumiputera must align with Sarawak's existing ecosystem to ensure effective implementation. He welcomed RMK13's focus on expanding business opportunities through funding, training, and mentorship, noting that the state government has similar initiatives under the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. Speaking at the Youth EdXchange Programme 2025, he highlighted the importance of youth empowerment. 'Your experiences—from community immersion to sustainability workshops—prove that when given a platform, young people lead with purpose,' he said. The two-day event, attended by 60 participants, fostered cross-cultural collaboration among local and ASEAN youth. - Bernama
