Berita: MELAKA MULLS FIRST SOLAR VALLEY IN MALAYSIA
MELAKA, Malaysia, May 28, 2010 (AsiaPulse via COMTEX) --The government of the southern Malaysian state of Melaka is proposing to create a "solar valley", the first of its kind in the country, at the Rembia Industrial Estate to develop green technology initiatives.
To be called "Melaka World Solar Valley", the project will be undertaken in collaboration with the Alor Gajah Municipal Council, said Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam.
Besides using solar energy to generate electricity, the 7,248.43 ha valley will also be involved in producing solar panels for export, he said.
"Melaka will move forward progressively towards adopting green technology in urban and community development," he told reporters after attending a briefing on "Melaka World Solar Valley" at a resort in Ayer Keroh Thursday.
Mohd Ali said Sunpower (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is building a RM2.5 billion (US$759.2 million) factory complex on a 144 ha site at the valley area to manufacture solar panels.
The first of the two-phase project is slated for completion in September, he said.
Mohd Ali said the solar valley will have trading and industrial areas and a housing estate fully equipped with green technology facilities.
He said the valley, to fully use green technology, especially solar energy, by 2020 aims to be Malaysia's prime producer of solar panels.
The Chief Minister said the proposed solar valley would also pave the way for a better socio-economic status of the Alor Gajah District by creating solar industry entrepreneurs and creating new jobs though the cost to develop solar power was higher, four times more than electricity generation.
The people in the area will also enjoy a healthy life and a clean environment, he said.
Mohd Ali said Melaka has the capacity to supply electricity using solar power or other green technologies if there was a request from Tenaga Nasional Berhad (KLSE:5347).
"It will be a smart move if solar energy is developed alongside nuclear energy being considered by the government because with the limited source of uranium, solar and nuclear can complement each other to generate electricity for the people's needs," he added.
(BERNAMA-OANA)
