Melaka: The Melaka government remains committed to accelerating the state's green industrial agenda by encouraging greater adoption of renewable energy among manufacturers, with Honda Malaysia's new Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System serving as a benchmark for the industrial sector, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the RM14 million Solar PV System project marks a significant milestone in the state's transition towards sustainable manufacturing and reflects Honda Malaysia's commitment to integrating renewable energy into its manufacturing operations. "The transition towards renewable and lower-carbon energy is no longer optional. It has become essential for industries that wish to remain resilient, relevant and competitive," he said at the launch of Honda Malaysia's Solar PV System here today.
The ceremony was also attended by Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director and chief executive officer Narushi Yazaki. The project comprises 8,960 solar panels installed across the company's factory rooftops with a total capacity of 5.6 megawatt-peak (MWp) and is supported by a 5.8 megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), making Honda Malaysia the first automotive manufacturer in Malaysia to implement an integrated Solar PV and BESS system.
Ab Rauf said the system is expected to generate about 7,042 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, supplying around 10 per cent of the electricity required for Honda Malaysia's manufacturing operations in Pegoh. He said the project is also projected to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 4,584 tonnes annually, representing a 10 per cent reduction in the company's manufacturing carbon footprint.
Ab Rauf said the system had already demonstrated tangible benefits during its first three months of operation, generating 1,751 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity, almost one-quarter of its projected annual output, while delivering estimated electricity cost savings of nearly RM900,000. He said the initiative is aligned with the Melakaku Maju Jaya 2035 Strategic Plan, under which the state government aims to achieve 300 megawatts of renewable energy capacity.
Melaka has already achieved an estimated 200 megawatts, or nearly 70 per cent of its renewable energy target, reflecting the effectiveness of coordinated government efforts and active private sector participation, he said. Ab Rauf called on more manufacturers and industrial players to follow Honda Malaysia's example by embracing renewable energy, investing in green technologies and embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into their operations. He said sustainability should not be viewed as a burden on economic growth, but as an investment in efficiency, resilience and long-term prosperity.