JOHOR BARU: Johor will soon become a major producer of environmentally-friendly energy with the opening of a solar power plant in Pengerang, Kota Tinggi.
This was announced by Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in a posting on his Facebook page.
The RM1.4 billion power plant, named the "Sultan Ibrahim Solar Park", is touted to be the biggest of its kind in Southeast Asia with a combined installed capacity of 450 megawatts.
It will also be the region's largest solar energy storage system when fully commissioned by 2023.
This marks the state's first major private investment project for 2021, and the result of Sultan Ibrahim's continued efforts to woo investors and spur Johor's economic growth for the benefit of the people.
The ruler will officiate the official ground-breaking ceremony on March 23 at the project site in Pengerang.
The project is also in line with the 2030 Johor Sustainable Development Plan which places major emphasis on environmental preservation and protection as part of the state's economic development plan for a more prosperous society.
Sultan Ibrahim said the project will have a healthy economic spillover effect for the people in the form of job creation at various levels.
"With this exciting project, Johor will make a quantum leap into the world of renewable and sustainable clean energy," the ruler told the Royal Press Office (RPO).
He said the project will mark Johor's first major foray into large-scale sustainable energy to foster green economies and a cleaner environment.
"Johor is one of the states blessed with high sun hours. It is time that we tapped into this resource to boost our power-generating capacity and contribute to the production of renewable energy," said Sultan Ibrahim.