IWK to install solar PV system at 53 assets
30 Aug 2021
Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK) is set to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in fifty three (53) of its identified assets to reduce expenditure through green technology adoption.
The new deployment is projected to save RM14 million for the next 15 years.
The installation is set up in stages, with the first phase of construction starting next month in nineteen (19) Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) around the country, followed by the other 34 STPs.
The first phase of the solar PV installation in 19 STPs has a total capacity of 6,950kWp and is expected to generate 8,890kWh per year.
In this regard, IWK will adopt a self-consumption model in the solar PV project and the solar generated will cover up to 20% of the electricity needs of the 19 STPs.
“Energy cost is one of the major operating expenditure components of plant operations and one of the strategies that have been identified to reduce energy cost is to explore potential solar energy,” IWK CEO Narendran Maniam said.
The wastewater utility’s green technology efforts are part of the company’s larger attempt to reduce its carbon footprint and build a more sustainable environment.
He added, “with the solar PV installation in the first phase, IWK continues to search for project proponents who will be best suited to implement this project in an addition of approximately 500 new potential sites under phase 2.”
“This initiatives would also cushion the impact from the rising energy cost yearly,” he said.
For its initial phase, the company has signed a solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with MFP Solar Sdn Bhd and Timeless Green Sdn Bhd to buy the solar output from their solar PV system.
The 53 sites over next 15 years will contribute to GHG reduction of 125,000 ton CO2 equivalent.
“With the additional takeover of STPs, our electric charges has ballooned up from tRM22.53 million in 2000, to RM256.30 million last year,” Narendran added.
Previously, IWK has deployed green technology on the Pantai 2, a regional sewage treatment plant (P2RSTP) which is the largest underground plant in Asia Pacific.
P2RSTP contributes to RM6.5 million in annual savings by installing solar panels, biogas, rainwater gathering, and ultimate bio-effluent reuse for non-potable use.
Source: The Malaysian Reserve
