Dutch-Norwegian company SolarDuck has signed a letter of intent with subsidiaries of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the largest utility in Malyasia, to develop a 780kW offshore floating solar plant off the coast of Tioaman island.
As part of the global roll out of offshore floating solar technology, SolarDuck teamed up with TNB Renewables and TNB Research , as well as with aluminium and energy company Hydro Extrusion Norway , to advance offshore solar energy solutions in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
SolarDuck will install a 780kW offshore floating solar plant off the coast of Tioman island in Malaysia, to assess technical and economic feasibility of such projects in Malaysia.
The installation is targeted to be completed by 2025, according to the partners.
The Tioman island project is expected to accelerate technology development for stand-alone use in the tropical areas, and assert the cost competitiveness of offshore floating solar as the most affordable marine energy technology by 2030.
Koen Burgers , CEO SolarDuck, said: “We are extremely pleased to start our work together with TNB Renewables, TNB Research and Hydro Extrusion Norway. For SolarDuck this means that we are building a footprint in Malaysia, a country in a region with the world’s largest potential for offshore floating solar.”
The collaboration represents a significant step towards a net zero future for Malaysia , as the country seeks to diversify its energy mix and create a renewable energy system.
“The main goal of TNB is to get to net zero while providing a reliable and cost competitive energy supply without jeopardizing the environment. Offshore floating solar provides an exciting opportunity for achieving this,” said Zarihi Hashim , chief new energy officer at TNB.
The focus on renewable energy and circularity of the project is also shared by Hydro Extrusion Norway, which will supply the aluminium profiles for the project. As aluminium is a highly circular material, recycling is at the core of this circularity approach, and Hydro Extrusion Norway actively participates in innovative projects and new industry initiatives.
The project with TNB will include deliveries from Hydro Extrusion Norway’s plants in Lichtervelde, Belgium, and Magnor, Norway.
“We are excited to be part of building a new industry for offshore floating solar. Solar energy is an important part of the necessary shift to renewable energy, and aluminium profiles is the perfect fit for such installations being light-weight and requiring no maintenance for several decades,” said Bruno D’hondt, senior vice president of Hydro Extrusion.