PETALING JAYA: The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) has unveiled plans to launch a new bidding round for the development of large-scale solar power plants under the LSS@PETRA+ programme. This initiative will offer a total quota of 2,000MWac, marking a significant step in the nation’s renewable energy efforts.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Energy Commission (ST) will begin accepting proposals for the extra quota starting January 20 through a formal Request for Proposal process. Solar power facilities approved in this round are expected to be operational by 2027, as stated by PETRA.

PETRA has emphasized that this move is in line with the country’s energy transition goals and the growing demand for green electricity within the national power grid. The organization anticipates that the additional solar capacity under LSS@PETRA+ will attract investments amounting to RM8 billion and create 12,000 jobs in the renewable energy sector.

The initiative is seen as a critical component in achieving the nation’s energy transition objectives, with a target to boost the renewable energy capacity in the national power supply system to 70 percent by 2050. PETRA is committed to lowering the carbon footprint of the country’s electricity supply sector through this endeavor.

The additional quota will be divided into two packages: Package A, which includes ground-mounted solar power plants with capacities ranging from 30MWac to 500MWac and offers a total quota of 1,500MWac, and Package B, which covers floating and water-based solar power plants with capacities between 10MWac and 500MWac, offering a quota of 500MWac.