Its minister Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said this was the biggest quota offered under the LSS programme as a move by the government to revive and stimulate the economy following the Covid-19 outbreak.
Shamsul Anuar said it also aimed to accelerate the development of the country's electricity supply industry especially the renewable energy industry, in line with the government to ensure the industry would benefit the people.
"Under the LSS1 until LSS3 programmes, about 370MW to 500MW were offered and this latest project is the biggest one by far.
"Applications are open to 100 per cent of locally owned companies incorporated or registered in Malaysia.
"Bursa Malaysia-listed companies that are keen to participate must have at least 75 per cent of local shareholding," he told reporters after visiting the EC Office in Jalan Greentown here today.
He said the ministry had set the maximum bidding capacity of each developer at 50MW compared to 100MW in the Third Round of Large Scale Solar programme (LSS3) in order to give more opportunities for local solar industry players to participate in the bid.
"There are two packages. The first package with a total quota offered by 500MW and for this package, the capacity range offered is between 10MW and less than 30MW.
"The second package with a total quota offered by 500MW and for this package, the capacity range offered is between 30MW and 50MW," he said, adding that each developer could submit no more than three bids.
Shamsul Anuar also said the bidding document submission period would be shortened to three months from six months to ensure the solar projects could kick off by end of this year.
"Through this program, it will generate RM4 billion investment and create 12,000 job opportunities. The solar power plants under this program are expected to start operating by Dec 31, 2023," he said, adding that the EC would come out with further statements on the LSS@MEnTARI Programme tomorrow.