Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), via its wholly owned subsidiary, GSPARX Sdn. Bhd. (GSPARX), and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) have formed a strategic partnership in the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) system that further contributes towards achieving UPM’s sustainability agenda.
Through Supply Agreement for Renewable Energy (SARE), GSPARX plans to install a solar PV system at 16 sites within UPM Serdang campus, comprising various buildings including a mosque, rooftop car park, and a floating solar system (Large Scale Integrated Hydroponic-Aquavoltaic) for purposes of research and human capital development, making this project the largest solar installation amongst public institutions of learning in Malaysia.
According to TNB Chairman, Dato’ Sri Hasan Arifin, the collaboration between GSPARX and UPM is in line with TNB’s Sustainability Pathway to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This is also in support of the government’s agenda to achieve carbon emission intensity reduction.
“Apart from fulfilling our responsibility towards the environment and being part of initiatives to address climate change, this project is in line with TNB’s aspiration to be the leading provider of sustainable energy solutions,” he added at the SARE signing ceremony at UPM on January 6.
This solar mega-project is geared to deliver 16.18MWp in capacity and benefits UPM in terms of potential reduction in the electricity costs by RM114 million throughout a 25-year period. The installation at 16 locations around UPM is expected to be completed by July.
This solar PV installation can reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 14,655 metric tonnes per year. This amount is equivalent to minimising the greenhouse emissions from 3,187 vehicles per year or carbon absorption by 242,320 tree seedlings planted over 10 years.
