UiTM first public varsity to own & operate two LSSPV plants

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 -- Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has become the only university in the country to own and operate two large scale solar photovoltaic (LSSPV) plants with the successful commencement of commercial operations of its second LSSPV plant in Pasir Gudang, Johor.

The university now holds a combined renewable energy generation capacity of 75MWac (92.58 MWp).

Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Prof Datuk Ir Dr Mohd Azraai Kassim said the decision to commercially own multiple LSSPV plants is part of the university’s drive to become carbon neutral whilst at the same time generate sustainable income for the university.

“This new LSSPV Plant, will augment the 61MWp LSSPV plant in Gambang, Pahang which began its commercial operations in April 2019, and the planned development of 66MW of on-campus rooftop solar power generating systems which will be in full commercial operations by the end of 2022.

“Together, these installations will produce enough clean renewable electricity each year to equal the university’s annual electricity consumption,” he said in a statement today.

The project, known as UiTM Solar Park II (USP II), undertaken by UiTM Holdings Sdn Bhd (UHSB) through its 100 per cent subsidiary, UiTM Solar Power Dua Sdn Bhd (USPDSB), has successfully commenced commercial operation on Dec 2, 2020.

USP II, which operates on a capacity of 31 MWp is equipped with 92,500 solar photovoltaic panels and 160 inverters.

The facility, built on 44.8 hectares of land, is estimated to contribute towards the avoidance of 28,000 tonnes of carbon emission, generating 40,000 MWh of clean energy annually.

UHSB’ second LSSPV plant costs about RM125 million, he said.

Meanwhile, UHSB group chief executive officer Norzaimah Maarof said despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the successful commissioning of the plant was down to the hard work, expertise and experience of the team at USPDSB.

“Construction of USP II took 11 months, including the delay and suspension caused by the Movement Control Order amidst the COVID-19 outbreak,” she said.

-- BERNAMA