GSPARX plans to install a solar PV system at 16 sites within UPM Serdang campus for research and human capital development purposes
by TMR / pic source: TNB
TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) via its wholly owned subsidiary, GSPARX Sdn Bhd, and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) forms a strategic partnership in the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) system through the Supply Agreement for Renewable Energy (SARE).
Under 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 research and human capital development purposes, making this project the largest solar installation among public institutions of learning in Malaysia.
This solar mega-project is geared to deliver 16.18MWp in capacity and benefits UPM in terms of the potential reduction in the electricity costs by RM114 million throughout 25 years.
The installation at 16 locations around UPM is expected to be completed by July 2022.
This solar PV installation is capable of reducing CO2 emissions by 14,655 metric tonnes per year.
It 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.
TNB chairman Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin said 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,” Hasan said at the recent SARE signing ceremony in UPM.
TNB chief retail officer Datuk Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan represents GSPARX as the Registered Solar PV Investor (RPVI), and UPM vice chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Roslan Sulaiman signed the SARE agreement.
It was also witnessed by the Ministry of Higher Education secretary general Datuk Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar and UPM Board of Directors chairman Datuk Seri Syed Razlan Syed Putra Jamalullail.
Dr Mohd Roslan said that this initiative strengthens the university-industry partnership in the field of research and human capital development.
The project also features an aquavoltaic system at the Engineering Faculty, positioning it as the first large-scale integrated hydroponic-aquavoltaic project cum ecotourism in the world.
“It is in line with the direction of UPM through our Strategic Plan 2021-2025, which emphasises sustainability research and innovation as well as strengthening the industry and community network.
“UPM, with our reputation as the most sustainable university in Malaysia for 12 consecutive years based on UI-Green Metric World University Ranking 2021, is continuously committed to supporting sustainability efforts,” he said.
To date, GSPARX has established strategic collaborations with various parties including Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, TATI University College, Public Works Department, Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd, Sime Darby Properties, Majlis Bandaraya Johor Baru, Majlis Bandaraya Seremban dan Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh.