PASIR PUTEH, May 26 (Bernama) -- The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (PETRA), through Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) corporate social responsibility initiative, will install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at two mosques with an allocation of RM130,698.
PETRA secretary-general Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli said the mosques, Masjid Al-Hijrah at the Fishermen Resettlement Area (PSN) in Tok Bali, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, and Masjid Al Huda in Kampung Rantau Abang, Dungun, Terengganu, received allocations of RM41,999 and RM88,699 respectively.
He said the installations would reduce monthly electricity bills, promote environmental sustainability, raise community awareness, and help lower carbon emissions by replacing conventional energy sources with solar power.
"These CSR projects are crucial in our efforts to bring the energy transition closer to the people, and solar power is one of the key initiatives under PETRA.
"We call on other companies to follow TNB's example and take part in this energy transition efforts," he said when met at Masjid Al-Hijrah recently.
He said the solar PV systems will be installed under the Net Energy Metering (NEM) GoMen scheme, whereby solar energy generated during the day will be used for electricity, and any excess energy will be exported to the TNB grid.
"The exported excess will be recorded and reimported for use at night," he said.
Meanwhile, the imam of Masjid Al-Hijrah PSN Tok Bali, Amirul Mukminin Mohd Roslan, said the solar project would benefit more than 1,200 residents.
"InsyaAllah, there will be more programmes and activities at the mosque, especially at night, once the solar system is installed. It will also help reduce the monthly electricity bill," he said.
The chairman and imam of Masjid Al-Huda in Kampung Rantau Abang, Dungun, Halim Mamat, expressed his gratitude to TNB for the solar PV system, which is expected to be installed in the mosque's parking area.
"Throughout this time, the electricity bills for this mosque, which can accommodate 500 congregants, have been paid solely through the mosque's management fund. The monthly amount collected is just enough to cover the overall operating costs.
"InsyaAllah, with the solar system, we can reduce our electricity bills, which may reach around RM800 to RM1,000 a month. The surplus from the mosque's management fund can then be channelled towards other needs, such as decorations to uplift the atmosphere at the mosque," he added.
The installation of the solar PV system at Masjid Al-Huda is expected to save RM9,307 in electricity bills during its first year of operation, with an estimated savings of RM97,228 over 25 years.
-- BERNAMA
