Masdar has signed a joint study agreement with Malaysia’s Sarawak Energy and clean energy solutions provider Gentari to assess the feasibility of a floating solar power plant at the reservoir of the Murum Hydroelectric Plant in the state of Sarawak.

A ceremony marking the occasion was held at Masdar’s head office in Abu Dhabi, with the agreement signed by Masdar chief executive officer Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Sarawak Energy CEO Datuk Sharbini Suhaili and Gentari CEO Sushil Purohit. The premier of Sarawak state and deputy prime minister of Malaysia witnessed the event.

According to Masdar, floating solar projects offer several advantages for countries like Malaysia with growing populations and a scarcity of land that is required for agriculture, housing and industry. Such projects reduce land use, decrease water evaporation, and offer potential synergies with hydroelectric operations.

"Our partnership with Sarawak Energy and Gentari represents a powerful convergence of expertise and ambition in the pursuit of a sustainable energy future," says Masdar’s Al Ramahi. "By harnessing our collective strengths in renewable energy technologies, particularly in large-scale solar and floating PV innovations, we are demonstrating that we can accelerate the energy transition and drive economic growth through bold, collaborative action."

The deal follows an agreement with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority in 2023 for the development of 10 gigawatts of clean energy projects across the country. The Southeast Asian nation aims for a renewable energy capacity of 31% by 2025 and 40% by 2035.

"Sarawak Energy’s diversified generation mix is crucial to achieving our aim of becoming a renewable energy powerhouse in Southeast Asia," says Sarawak Energy’s Sharbini. "The potential for a floating solar PV project on the reservoir of the Murum Hydroelectric Plant will complement our ongoing investments in renewable innovations, including our Batang Ai floating solar farm, which is expected to offset 52 kilotonnes of CO2 emissions annually once commissioned by the end of this year."

The study will encompass technical feasibility, environmental impact, and economic viability to determine if the project can be successfully implemented.

If deemed viable, the floating solar installation could not only strengthen Sarawak's renewable energy capacity but also position it as a pioneering model for floating solar projects across the region. It also supports Sarawak's ambition to become a leader in clean energy development and export in Southeast Asia.