KUALA LUMPUR, March 5– The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) has implemented a new policy to encourage the development of floating solar power plants in the country.

Among the initiatives introduced include creating a special category for floating solar under the Large-Scale Solar Programme (LSS) as well as opening solar installations on water surface bodies under the Solar for Self-Consumption Programme (SELCo).

Deputy Minister of PETRA, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the move was in line with the direction and regulation of green electricity supply implemented by his ministry.

"For example, for the fifth LSS, out of the 2,000 megawatts (MW) opened in total, 500 MW is allocated for floating solar. For LSS5+, the amount has also been doubled to 500 MW for floating solar projects," he said when answering a question from Ipoh Timur Member of Parliament, Lee Chuan How, at the Dewan Rakyat, here.

According to Akmal Nasrullah, the development of a solar power plant that utilises brownfield areas can avoid land reclamation, as well as allowing existing land to be utilised for other more productive economic activities such as agriculture, agro-food and industry.