The renewable energy sector has grown significantly over the past decade, with a litany of nations turning to the sector in the hopes of reaching their clean energy targets by the end of the decade. That wave of renewable energy has reached into Asia, with Malaysia announcing it has officially launched a floating solar pilot project, targeting 2.2 GW of long-term capacity. Asia has embraced the renewable energy sector in recent years, with several nations developing astonishing projects, driving the region towards a clean and sustainable energy future.

The largest man-made lake in mainland Southeast Asia is set to become the home of the solar sector

Pilot projects serve as a great barometer for any nation’s plans to increase energy production. The Malaysian energy utility company Tenaga Nasional Berhad recently announced the official launch of the Hybrid Hydro Floating Solar (HHFS) pilot project at Tasik Kenyir Dam, the largest man-made lake in mainland Southeast Asia.

The pilot project consists of 220 solar PV modules spread out over 1,085m² with a capacity of 100kW. The aim of the project, according to TNB, is to demonstrate how the Kenyir Lake can be utilized as a major driver for renewable energy growth in the nation. TNB has noted that floating solar could be deployed on up to 10% of the lake’s surface, potentially generating 2.2 GW of long-term capacity.

The company’s leadership noted the importance the project could play in Malaysia’s clean energy ambitions, as the nation aims to shift away from fossil fuels towards the untapped and often overlooked potential of solar power.

“The Kenyir HHFS project, part of our broader 2.5GW hybrid solar-hydro initiative, exemplifies how Tenaga Nasional Berhad is leveraging its existing assets to maximise renewable energy output. – Datuk Megat Jalaluddin, president and CEO of Tenaga Nasional Berhad

The Malaysian government has backed the project as it aims to increase renewable energy production

For many years, the Malaysian government has aimed to increase the nation’s reliance on the renewable energy sector. For far too long, the world has turned to the fossil fuel sector as the most reliable form of energy generation, but that stance has to change, or the world will be faced with a climate crisis that will be far worse than the issues faced across the world in recent years.

In 2024, TNB announced plans to develop 2.5GW of hybrid hydro-floating solar projects, and through the new pilot project, is aiming to live up to its plans, positioning Malaysia as a regional leader in the adoption of the renewable energy sector. The plan, outlined by Malaysian government officials and the heads of TNB, is to develop innovative energy projects that promote the renewable energy sector.

“The hydro plant serves as a flexible energy storage system—conserving water during peak hours and discharging it during off-peak—to stabilise the grid and respond rapidly to fluctuations in demand.” – Datuk Megat Jalaluddin, president and CEO of Tenaga Nasional Berhad

New and innovative projects are being developed around the world that will drive the international energy sector towards the renewable market, such as the new flagship battery storage system in Germany, pointing to a remarkable turnaround in the energy sector.

Solar power has become the belle of the renewable energy ball

Malaysia is not the only country that has big plans for the solar power sector. Australia has seen such tremendous growth in the sector that the government has announced a plan to provide three hours of free electricity, created by the nation’s booming solar sector. The global reliance on the old ways has devastated the environment, leading to climate change on a biblical level. Wildfires in California, flooding in Asia, and the ever-increasing daily temperatures are all signs that something needs to change, and luckily, Malaysia is set to embrace the need for change in the energy sector.