Kenyir: The newly launched Hybrid Hydro Floating Solar (HHFS) and Green Hydrogen Hub projects in Terengganu have the potential to attract regional and international investors, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. He noted that the initiative, which is a collaboration between Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), aligns with Malaysia’s energy policy and international aspirations for green energy.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kenyir is now becoming a focal point of interest for international investors. This development is expected to boost not only Terengganu but also Kenyir itself as a major attraction. The projects have been implemented efficiently, and the launch ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, TNB Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Razak Abdul Majid, and Petronas Chairman Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh.
The HHFS and Green Hydrogen Hub are designed to position Malaysia as a leader in the green hydrogen value chain, supporting the National Energy Transition Roadmap and the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap. The Green Hydrogen Hub is a strategic collaboration between Petronas and TNB, while the HHFS project is a joint venture between TNB’s power generation subsidiary, TNB Genco Sdn Bhd, and Terengganu Inc.
The pilot HHFS project at the Kenyir Dam features a capacity of 100 kilowatts and covers 1,085 square metres with 220 solar panels. This highlights the potential for floating solar development at Tasik Kenyir, which spans 36,900 hectares, with up to 10 percent of the lake’s surface suitable for generating an estimated 2,200 MW without disrupting the ecology.
The prime minister emphasized the project’s link to the ASEAN Power Grid, a major regional initiative starting with an undersea cable project connecting Vietnam to Kota Bharu, Kelantan, and eventually to Singapore. Anwar stated that this necessitates the construction of a new grid as the existing one is insufficient in capacity.
Anwar underlined the importance of the HHFS and Green Hydrogen Hub projects and called for collaboration among all relevant parties to expedite their implementation. Moreover, he urged Petronas and TNB to explore Technical and Vocational Education and Training opportunities, including upskilling programs for local youths in Kuala Berang, Hulu Terengganu.
He proposed that relevant ministries, such as the Education Ministry, the Ministry of Higher Education, and the Human Resources Ministry, along with the Terengganu government, Petronas, and TNB, initiate specialized training programs for local youths. Anwar expressed a desire to ensure that youths from Kuala Berang receive training opportunities, preventing them from being limited to small-scale jobs despite the presence of major projects in their area.