KUANTAN: Pahang has teamed up with a United Arab Emirates-based company to install the country's first wind farm in a move to boost the state's use of renewable energy.
State Investment, Industries, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Mohamad Nizar Najib, in his winding-up speech at the state assembly, said the project is estimated to cost RM800 million for the development of two-gigawatt (GW) wind farms in four districts.
"The state government has collaborated with a company from UAE for the proposed Pahang Wind Farm project, which is expected to be the first plant to generate energy in the country. The project will be developed in Pekan, Rompin, Kuantan and Lipis," he said at Wisma Sri Pahang today.
He said the Pahang State Development Corporation is currently supervising five solar energy projects with an investment of RM200 million each, while Invest Pahang will study other proposals, including the setting up of floating solar farms and electric vehicle charging bays.
Nizar said to boost investment, the state government, through Invest Pahang, will host the inaugural Malaysia East Coast Convention later this year. He said the convention aims to promote the state as a top investment destination in the country.
"Pahang will organise an investment convention in Singapore this year, where investors in Southeast Asia will gather under one roof, to promote investment opportunities in Pahang. The convention is planned for the third quarter of this year," he said.
On tourism, State Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man said the via ferrata ("iron road" in Italian) climbing route in Pulau Tioman, Rompin, is the latest attraction on the duty-free island.
"The Gunung Nenek Semukut via ferrata, at a height of 610m above sea level, is the highest in Peninsular Malaysia. Climbers can enjoy a breathtaking view of the island and sea.
"The second crowd-puller is the 660m-long Taman Negara Sungai Relau Tree Top Walk for nature enthusiasts in Lipis. The bridge allows visitors to enjoy the surrounding forest area from a different perspective," she said.