In a landmark move for Malaysia’s green energy landscape, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar), Citaglobal Berhad, and TIZA Global Sdn Bhd have officially broken ground on the 200-megawatt (MW) Chereh Dam Floating Solar PV Project. This ambitious venture, located in Pahang, marks a significant step forward in Southeast Asia’s transition toward sustainable energy.
**Business Promotion24** is proud to bring you the latest developments on this project, which is being developed by Chereh Solar Sdn Bhd. The plant is expected to begin commercial operations in 2028 and stands as one of the largest floating solar installations in the region.
### Empowering Pahang and the Nation
The groundbreaking ceremony was a prestigious event, attended by His Royal Highness Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the Sultan of Pahang, and Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, the Chief Minister of Pahang.
His Royal Highness emphasized that the project reflects Pahang’s commitment to sustainable development, utilizing natural resources responsibly to meet Malaysia’s renewable energy ambitions while creating lasting value for local communities.
### Key Highlights of the Chereh Solar Project
The Chereh Dam Floating Solar PV Project is not just about power generation; it is an economic engine for the region. Key project details include:
* **Clean Energy Capacity:** 200MW, enough to power the equivalent of 100,000 homes.
* **Job Creation:** The development and construction phases are expected to create approximately 1,500 jobs.
* **Land Conservation:** By utilizing an existing reservoir, the project minimizes the need for land-based solar sites, preserving valuable land for other uses.
* **Financial Strength:** The project reached financial close on October 27, raising 580 million MYR from three international lenders.
### A Strategic Partnership
The project combines the global expertise of Masdar with the local infrastructure prowess of Citaglobal Berhad and the stakeholder engagement experience of TIZA Global.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, noted that Malaysia is a strategically important market. This project is Masdar’s first in the country and serves as the inaugural development under the 10-gigawatt (GW) renewable energy roadmap agreed upon with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in 2023.
Mohamad Norza Zakaria, Executive Chairman and President of Citaglobal Berhad and TIZA Global, highlighted the project’s priority: delivering on the 21-year power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in 2025. The project was secured via a competitive tender under Malaysia’s Large Scale Solar (LSS) Cycle 5+ programme, achieving the lowest tariff in the floating solar category.
### Driving Malaysia’s 2030 Renewable Goals
Malaysia has set an ambitious target to increase its renewable energy capacity to 35% by 2030. Floating solar technology is expected to play a pivotal role in this journey. As reported by **Business Promotion24**, the Chereh Dam project is a testament to how international collaboration and local innovation can drive the global energy transition.
With Masdar also exploring a feasibility study for a major floating solar installation at the Murum reservoir in Sarawak, the future of clean energy in Malaysia looks brighter than ever. Stay tuned to **Business Promotion24** for more updates on this and other infrastructure projects shaping the future of global business.
