Malaysia’s Ministry of Energy Transition and Water (PETRA) has approved 13 large-scale solar projects, including one of the country’s largest floating solar plants, under the LSS PETRA 5+ programme. The approved projects total 1,975MWac, the largest capacity granted since the LSS programme began in 2016.
The projects were selected following an open bidding process launched on 20 January 2025 for 2,000MWac of solar capacity. The programme offered two packages: conventional solar power plants of 30MWac to 500MWac, with a total quota of 1,500MWac and solar plants on bodies of water of 10MWac to 500MWac, with a total quota of 500MWac. Bidders were required to have at least 51% local ownership.
PETRA said the open bidding process received 37 applications with a combined capacity of 4,073MW, double the available quota. The approved projects are expected to attract RM6 billion in investment and create 12,000 jobs within the renewable energy sector. Electricity generation from these plants is scheduled to begin between 2027 and 2028.
The initiative supports Malaysia’s energy transition goals by increasing renewable energy’s share in the national electricity supply to 70% by 2050 and contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of the electricity sector, in line with the sustainability principles of Malaysia MADANI.
