Penang: McDonald's Malaysia is expanding its renewable energy partnership with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) through initiatives such as rooftop solar installations, renewable electricity sourcing, and electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities, aiming to enhance sustainability across its restaurant network.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, McDonald's Malaysia Managing Director and Local Operating Partner Datuk Azmir Jaafar announced that the latest phase of the partnership will see rooftop solar systems installed at an additional 51 restaurants, with an estimated combined capacity of 1.685 megawatt-peak (MWp). This development builds on the existing 100 restaurants already equipped with photovoltaic solar panel systems. By the end of 2027, McDonald's aims to have 200 to 250 restaurants outfitted with solar panels.
The collaboration, observed by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, included the signing of a Supply Agreement for Renewable Energy (SARE) for the upcoming phase of McDonald's rooftop solar program. The event also featured the presentation of a Green Electricity Tariff (GET) certificate and the launch of a TNB Electron EV charging facility. Azmir signed the SARE agreement on behalf of McDonald's Malaysia, while TNB President and CEO Datuk Shamsul Ahmad represented the utility company.
Under the new solar project, TNB's subsidiary GSPARX Sdn Bhd will develop, operate, and maintain the rooftop solar systems, with implementation starting in 2026 and completion expected by 2027. This expansion follows the initial phase of the partnership, established in 2023, covering 100 McDonald's Drive-Thru restaurants nationwide.
Azmir highlighted that adopting solar energy is part of McDonald's broader strategy to utilize sustainably sourced energy and reduce reliance on grid electricity. He mentioned that McDonald's Malaysia plans to subscribe to TNB's GET for up to 285 restaurants, which currently have a combined average monthly electricity consumption of approximately 15.5 gigawatt-hours (GWh). This initiative will make McDonald's Malaysia the first and largest quick-service restaurant operator in the country to subscribe to GET.
In terms of green mobility, McDonald's currently operates EV charging facilities at 12 restaurants nationwide, with plans to expand to about 30 locations in the near term. The Batu Kawan facility, the first TNB Electron location in the food and beverage sector, features a 200-kilowatt (kW) DC fast charger with two charging points, expandable to four, and operates 24 hours a day.
Beyond renewable energy, McDonald's Malaysia is also focused on other sustainability initiatives, including phasing out single-use plastics, adopting paper straws, sourcing products and packaging sustainably, and recycling used cooking oil into biodiesel. Currently, 78 per cent of the company's packaging comes from renewable, recycled, or certified sources, while 97 per cent of supplies in its core categories are sustainably sourced.
Penang Chief Minister Chow emphasized the importance of private-sector participation in advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency. Shamsul noted that the collaboration would enable businesses and consumers to engage more directly in Malaysia's energy transition, supporting the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2.0, and the Penang Energy Framework.