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MALAYSIA marked a significant step in its national energy transition on Thursday with the launch of a solar photovoltaic farm and battery energy storage system at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
The project, developed by Cenergi Aeropolis Renewable Energy Sdn. Bhd. (CARE) in collaboration with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and Cenergi SEA Berhad, is expected to generate 46 gigawatt-hours of green electricity per year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 35,000 tonnes annually — equivalent to taking around 8,000 vehicles off the road.
Deputy Prime Minister II and Minister of Energy Transition and Water (PETRA) Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof officiated the launch at Sama-Sama Hotel, KLIA.
He described the initiative as a “practical and scalable model of energy transition” that balances renewable energy ambitions with the need for reliable, cost-effective electricity and Malaysia’s economic competitiveness.
“As a major transportation hub, KLIA is not just a gateway to Malaysia’s economy but critical infrastructure that requires stable, secure, and high-quality energy supply,” said Fadillah.
“The CARE project aligns with MAHB’s targets of achieving a 20 per cent renewable energy mix by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in line with MAHB’s Net-Zero Decarbonisation Roadmap.”
Fadillah emphasised that the project demonstrates a new approach to energy, moving beyond simply adding generation capacity towards building more flexible, intelligent, and resilient energy systems.
A special purpose vehicle, CARE, has been established to manage the project efficiently and focus its implementation.
Fadillah explained the critical role of the integrated battery energy storage system (BESS). “Solar energy is clean and competitive, but its intermittent nature depends on weather and time.
“BESS allows surplus solar energy during the day to be stored and used during peak demand, enabling more efficient management of KLIA’s electricity load and reducing peak charges.
“In short, BESS makes renewable energy not just ‘green’, but manageable and reliable.”
The project also serves national energy policy objectives. “CARE accelerates the transition towards a smarter, more stable grid, optimises demand management, and facilitates greater integration of renewable energy sources without compromising energy security,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships, Fadillah added: “Projects like CARE show how strategic collaboration between government-linked companies, the private sector, and regulatory agencies can drive practical and impactful energy transition initiatives.
The government remains committed to creating clear, investment-friendly policies to support renewable energy and technologies such as energy storage.”
The CARE project is part of a broader portfolio of initiatives, including the Solar for Self-Consumption (SELCO) programme, which enables large-scale industrial users to generate their own power, reduce reliance on conventional sources, and optimise costs sustainably.
Fadillah congratulated all parties involved and expressed hope that CARE would be completed on schedule, operate safely, and serve as a model for further solar-plus-BESS projects in Malaysia’s critical infrastructure sector.
“With that, it is my pleasure to officially launch the KLIA Solar Photovoltaic Farm and Battery Energy Storage System,” he declared. - January 29, 2026