UNIVERSITI Teknologi Mara (UiTM) is meeting Pasir Gudang’s sustainable energy needs through its second large-scale solar photovoltaic (LSSPV) plant.
UiTM Energy and Facilities Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Dr Heazar Ismail said the plant, known as UiTM Solar Park II (USP II), was undertaken by UiTM Holdings Sdn Bhd (UHSB) through its subsidiary, UiTM Solar Power Dua Sdn Bhd.
“USP II commenced commercial operations on Dec 2, 2020 and is located in our Pasir Gudang campus.“It will be operational for 21 years,” he said, adding that the project cost about RM125mil.
Heazar said USP II operated at a capacity of 31 megawatts peak (MWp) and was equipped with 92,500 solar photovoltaic panels and 160 inverters.
“The facility, built on 45ha of land, can generate up to 40,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of clean energy annually, thereby preventing 28,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
“Currently, the USP II generates 30,000 MWh of clean energy per annum on average,” he added.
Heazar said the project also benefitted the local economy in terms of job creation and income for vendors providing services to the plant.“The plant currently employs 33 people who are providing direct and indirect services.
“There is also a research post for UiTM’s Solar Research Institute, which is studying solar and green energy,” said Heazar.
UiTM is the only university in the country to own and operate two such plants.
UHSB’s first project in Gambang, Pahang, known as UiTM Solar Park I, has a capacity of 61 MWp and started operating on April 5, 2019.
“UiTM joins the ranks of institutions such as University of California and Stanford University in the United States as well as the University of Queensland in Australia, that own and operate large-scale solar power plants,” said Heazar.