Masdar, a UAE-based clean energy company, has signed a Joint Study Agreement with Sarawak Energy and Gentari to explore the option of a floating solar power plant at the Murum Hydroelectric Plant in Sarawak, Malaysia. The study will assess the potential for a large-scale floating solar project on the Murum reservoir. The floating solar plant is expected to complement existing renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric power, while reducing the need for land that is often used for agriculture, housing, and industry. Floating solar plants also help reduce water evaporation from reservoirs and can work in synergy with hydroelectric operations.…
Author: Lakshita Kapoor
Sarawak is expanding its renewable energy sector with recent completed projects and new studies aimed at ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) technology. This expansion is part of Sarawak’s Sustainability Blueprint, which seeks to align the state’s growth with environmental goals. The Premier of Sarawak, Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, recently announced plans for an OTEC feasibility study off the coast of Miri. OTEC generates energy by leveraging temperature differences between warm ocean surface water and cooler water at greater depths to drive a turbine. This process could increase Sarawak’s renewable energy output if successful. Initial data shows potential, as the…
TotalEnergies ENEOS has completed a 1.8 megawatt-peak (MWp) floating solar photovoltaic (PV) system in Thailand, designed in partnership with S. Kijchai Enterprise, a company that manufactures wood-based panels. This project marks TotalEnergies ENEOS’s first floating solar PV installation in the Asia Pacific region and the second PV system completed for S. Kijchai within four years. The new floating solar system consists of over 3,000 installed modules and is expected to generate around 2,650 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable electricity annually. By offsetting traditional energy use, it reduces S. Kijchai’s carbon footprint by about 1,125 tons of CO₂ emissions each year. This…
General New Energy (GNE) announced a new prototype of a lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery with an energy density of 700Wh/kg. This development marks a considerable increase in energy density compared to standard lithium-ion batteries. According to GNE, this new Li-S battery offers improvements in both mileage and safety. Li-S batteries use sulfur as the cathode and lithium metal as the anode. Theoretically, Li-S batteries have an energy density potential of up to 2,600Wh/kg, which is more than five times that of lithium-ion batteries. The use of sulfur is also advantageous because it is abundant, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly, making Li-S batteries…
CATL has introduced the Freevoy battery, designed for extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), focusing on addressing challenges of limited electric range, slow charging, and reduced performance in cold temperature with just one charge and extending the pure electric range to over 400 kilometres (km). This is through advancements in battery materials, including a fast-charging cathode material and a high-voltage electrolyte that minimizes unwanted reactions. Freevoy’s structure enhances lithium-ion movement, aided by CATL’s high-precision model for state-of-charge (SOC) control, which has increased accuracy by 40% and improved the electric range utilization by more than 10%. It…
Malaysia’s Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) has invested RM219 million (50 million USD) for a minority stake in Cyan Renewables, Asia’s largest owner and operator of offshore support vessels, as part of a deal led by Seraya Partners. This investment aligns with Malaysia’s MADANI Economy framework, which aims to advance sustainability and innovation through a focus on clean energy and high-value industries. KWAP has a history of supporting clean energy projects and is working toward its target of RM20 billion in transition asset investments by 2030. This includes several past investments in renewable energy initiatives, contributing significantly to projects with a…
Sabah, Malaysia owned Jetama Sdn Bhd is launching a pilot project to bring clean drinking water to three remote villages in the state using solar-powered nano-filtration systems. The villages benefiting are Kampung Pulau Berhala in Sandakan, Kampung Tanjung Batu in Sukau, and Kampung Paris in Kinabatangan. The system works by using solar panels to generate electricity, which powers the water treatment units. The units use a nano-filtration process, which filters out harmful contaminants such as bacteria and other impurities, providing clean drinking water for up to 5,000 residents per village. This filtration method ensures safe water without the need for…
Southeast Asia is set to see major growth in its renewable energy sector over the next decade. According to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), clean energy sources such as wind, solar, modern bioenergy, and geothermal are expected to meet more than one-third of the region’s energy demand by 2035. Electricity demand in Southeast Asia is projected to increase by 4% annually. This growth will drive the need for more renewable energy solutions. The report states that while the use of clean energy is increasing, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the region are still expected to rise by…
Sarawak, Malaysia, is focusing on renewable energy, particularly solar power, to promote sustainable energy solutions. Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg announced significant developments in this area during the Singapore International Energy Week. Sarawak is developing Malaysia’s largest floating solar farm at the Batang Ai hydroelectric plant reservoir. This project covers 86 hectares and is expected to generate approximately 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The floating solar farm will harness solar energy, contributing to the state’s clean energy supply. In addition to solar power, Sarawak is exploring biomass as a complementary energy source. The state plans to utilize Napier grass,…
Budget 2025 brings focus on renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) initiatives as key areas of development for Malaysia. The government has outlined projects to expand renewable energy capacity, while also introducing new programs to promote the adoption of locally assembled EVs and electric motorcycles. Malaysia saw a successful 2024 in its renewable energy sector. These include the LSS4 (Large Scale Solar 4) project, which added over 500 megawatts (MW) of solar power. The Kampung Solar Program brought community-based solar installations to rural areas. Additionally, the Bintulu Wind Project contributed wind energy to the national grid, and the Baleh Hydroelectric…