Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Malaysian Government will review the community access charge for solar projects to encourage more players into energy transition initiatives and benefit the nation as a whole, the country's English-language newspaper New Straits Times reported.
Malaysian Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said this in response to a request made by Sime Darby Property Bhd following the launch of Malaysia's first residential solar project at its township, the City of Elmina. The rate was revised down by about 40%, he said.
Sime Darby Property group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Azmir Merican asked for a review of the community access charge to encourage more players into solar energy projects.
The charge, which is part of the Community Renewable Energy Aggregation Mechanism (CREAM) framework, currently stands at 0.09 RM per kilowatt hour (kWh), reduced from the initial 0.15 RM.
Sime Darby Property’s pilot initiative is based on a rooftop leasing model, where homes are transformed into solar power generators without requiring any upfront capital from owners.
Launched under the CREAM framework, the programme allows homeowners to generate passive income from leasing their rooftops while actively supporting the nation's shift toward renewable energy.
More than 6,000 units are involved in the project across Elmina Green, Ilham Residences, Elmina Garden and Elmina Valley. The company's long-term goal for this initiative is to see its nationwide expansion by other property developers.
Meanwhile, Fadillah said Malaysia has reached 30% of the renewable energy mix, which is on track to meet the government's goal of 31% by this year's end under the National Energy Transition Roadmap.
The government is optimistic in reaching the target, and it can be done through public-private partnerships as well as foreign investments, said the minister./.
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