KUCHING: Zecon Bhd will place greater emphasis on projects and developments involving renewable energy (RE), including large-scale solar farm projects, going forward.
Zecon’s group managing director Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad said the group has earmarked a sizeable portion of its 3,000 acres of landbank here for these projects.
“Discussions are on-going with several renewable energy groups to form strategic alliance and collaboration for development of large-scale solar PV projects and be a major RE player in Malaysia.
“With Malaysia set to reach the target of generating at least 20% of its energy through the use of renewables by 2025, this could potentially be the next revenue contributor to the group in near future,” he added in the company’s 2022 annual report.
Zainal said a 2.0MWac (megawatts of AC power) solar project had been planned for the rooftop and the elevated multistorey carpark of the Children Specialist Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HPKK) in Peninsular Malaysia.
Zecon Medicare Sdn Bhd holds a 25.5 years concession period for the hospital until 2046. Zecon Medicare completed the 243-bed hospital and 54-room hotel under public-private partnership/private finance initiatives in October 2020 and handed it over to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in December 2020.
Zainal said Zecon Medicare had discussions with UKM, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and solar photovoltaic (PV) groups which are interested to participate in the HPKK rooftop solar project.
“A steering technical committee consists of members from UKM, HPKK and Zecon has been established to monitor the project and to ensure that the implementation complies with requirements from all relevant authorities.
The committee is currently drafting a Power Purchase Agreement which will be finalised between UKM, Zecon Medicare and TNB. “Zecon is also looking into collaboration with internationally renowned solar PV and renewable energy technology companies for technology exchange and technical support.
“Zecon RE Sdn Bhd is taking the lead and has initiated discussions and site visits with these companies. Part of the collaboration include the latest design of larger PV modules for lower investment costs, higher efficiency and optimal output,” he added.
Zainal said Zecon has been invited by Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia to fully utilise the maximum quota of 2.0MWac under SEDA’s NEM GoMEn (New Energy Metering Government Ministries and Entities) concept. The company is in the process of submitting the application to SEDA.
“Zecon board of directors strongly envisage the group to deliver projects with environmental benefit and anticipated to generate significant revenue from projects directly aligned with one or more of our group’s Sustainable Development Goals.
We will also be tapping into carbon credit trading.
“With the group’s large landbanks and being a certified registered solar photovoltaic investor with SEDA as well as being a Sarawak-based Bumiputera public-listed company, Zecon is well positioned to take advantage of the state government’s emphasis on green technology including the potential in carbon credit market.
“This is Zecon’s effort in contributing to the national agenda to lower carbon footprint and as part of the public and private joint initiative supporting the Sarawak Carbon Economy Initiative and Malaysia’s pledge to the Paris Agreement,” he added.
Zainal disclosed plans by the company to construct two bridges across Sungai Santubong and Sungai Serai to provide strategic connections to the group’s 2,000 acres Kota Petra land located about 7km from the Kuching city centre.
The proposed Sungai Santubong Bridge will have a length of 150m while Sungai Serai Bridge will be 100m long. Their proposed designs have been submitted for approval of the relevant authorities.
He said Zecon has been in discussion to collaborate with a construction group from China to construct the two proposed bridges which is expected to take three years to complete.
“This (bridge) connectivity has become increasingly important in providing access for potential major infrastructure projects which will be developed on these lands.
The proposed projects are in the planning stage and will be announced accordingly,” added Zainal.
