Malaysia Airlines partners with TNB on Green Energy Initiative

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), through its renewable energy retail arm, GSPARX Sdn Bhd (“GSPARX”) has inked an agreement with Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB). The agreement is to install solar panels on four of MAB’s buildings at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

MAB is expects to save almost RM15 million in electricity bills throughout a 21-year period. This expectation comes under the Solar Supply Agreement (SSA). The airline will tap into GSPARX’s expertise in the installation and operation of rooftop solar PV panels.

MAB Chief Financial Officer, Boo Hui Yee, and TNB Chief Retail Officer, Ir. Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan signed the agreement at Malaysia Airlines’ Engineering Complex in the KLIA South Support Zone yesterday.

Group Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) & Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Airlines Berhad, Captain Izham Ismail, and TNB President/Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan both witnessed the event.

The Solar Panels

The proposed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels will have a capacity of 2.210 megawatt peak (MWp). The panels are capable of generating about 2.86 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean energy per year. The project is the largest installation at a single site for GSPARX.

The project will benefit MAB in its long-term pursuit of reducing CO2 emissions. The expected project completion date is in April 2021. MAB forecasts the green energy generated from the project to offset about 2,022 metric ton of carbon dioxide emission for the first year. This amount is approximately 56,638 metric ton of emission until 2050. This translates to approximately 12,197 cars taken off the road or 933,520 trees grown, said Amir Hamzah.

Amir Hamzah also said that corporates like Malaysia Airlines and TNB are taking strong positions on climate change efforts. Particularly in reduction of carbon emissions. Even during a time when nations struggle with the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“TNB has taken a firm position with its recently renewed aspiration to be a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions in Malaysia and internationally. To this end, we will be driving a significant shift in our generation portfolio towards more renewable sources. We have stated our intent to make the recently commissioned Jimah East Power Plant in Negeri Sembilan, TNB’s last greenfield coal-fired power plant.”

TNB Renewal Energy Initiatives

Amir Hamzah added that TNB is steadily building on its RE portfolio both domestically and abroad. TNB’s view is to achieve 1,700 MW by 2025, and to support the nation’s target of 20% RE by 2025.

Apart from large-scale generation assets, TNB is also actively supporting RE growth in the distributed generation space. Partnerships like the solar PV project with MAB are a good example. The end goal is to help customers become prosumers.

Amir Hamzah also highlighted that Malaysia has a goal of building a soalr manufacturing hub. RE partnerships that TNB undertakes are at the core of effecting a chain of economic activity towards that goal.

“This is aligned with a set of six focus areas TNB is championing to support the nation’s economic recovery post the impact of the MCO and COVID-19 pandemic. Aside from building a global solar manufacturing hub. The other focus areas include investing in the grid, energy efficiency, electrifying mobility, advancing connectivity and reskilling.”

Malaysia Airlines Goals

Captain Izham Ismail said, “This is another important step in our ongoing journey towards becoming a greener and sustainable airline”. He added,” Sustainability encompasses the entire supply chain of a business“. “We believe that anything that has a beneficial impact on the planet can also have a positive financial impact”.

“Malaysia Airlines and its sister companies under MAG have introduced more than 40 initiatives in the past three years to reduce its carbon footprint. Firstly, from the adoption of new aircraft technology (with its A350-900). Secondly, improved operating processes and sustainable alternative fuels. And lastly, working towards the targets outlined as part of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) programme.

This new milestone marks the next step forward in MAG’s long-term commitment to play a greater role in driving sustainability efforts for Malaysia and the aviation industry, as evident in our collaboration with GSPARX today,” Izham ended.