Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has begun commercialising renewable energy on its campus through a 10.57-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic system, as the university seeks to reduce its monthly utility expenditure of about RM1.7 million.
UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Kasim Mansor said the 25-year collaboration with Quantum Sustainable Energy Sdn Bhd was implemented at zero cost to UMS and was expected to generate savings of at least RM57 million over the duration of the agreement.
“With the use of solar energy, we can achieve significant savings in the university’s energy expenditure,” he said at the launch ceremony on Wednesday, describing the commissioning of the system as a historic milestone marking the first phase of solar energy commercialisation at UMS.
Kasim said the university’s energy requirements were expected to continue increasing as UMS expanded and new buildings were developed, with its student population reaching 24,000 this year.
He said the Ministry of Higher Education had also approved the construction of a new Faculty of Islamic Studies building next year at a cost of RM101 million, which would further increase future energy demand.
Kasim said the solar initiative would not stop at the current phase, with UMS potentially entering supplementary agreements with Quantum Sustainable Energy to install additional solar panels at suitable areas as its renewable energy capacity expanded.
UMS Centre for Investment, Endowment and Waqf Director Azmi Abd Majid said the project had undergone development, installation, testing and commissioning before entering commercial operation on Sept 18.
He said the system comprised rooftop solar panels and Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) installations, including panels incorporated into covered structures such as car parks.
Azmi said the system was projected to generate electricity cost savings of up to RM65 million over its 25-year project period, although the projection would be evaluated against its actual performance during operation.
He said the project’s value extended beyond financial savings, as the UMS campus could serve as a platform for students and researchers to study and monitor renewable energy technology.
“The university campus also has the potential to become a living learning and research space, where renewable energy technology can be studied, monitored and utilised by students and researchers,” he added.
Azmi said data and operational experience from the system could create further opportunities for research, innovation and expertise development in renewable energy, energy efficiency and green technology.
Meanwhile, Quantum Sustainable Energy founder Hewjerd Teng said the project should be viewed beyond its financial and generation figures, describing it as a “living classroom” that could support education, research and innovation, including future technologies such as batteries, electric vehicles and floating solar systems.
“We are pioneering sustainability in Sabah through this collaboration with UMS, which is the largest self-consumption rooftop solar system in the State and the largest solar system among universities in Malaysia,” Teng said.
He also expressed appreciation to UMS, the Sabah Government and the Ministry of Higher Education for their support throughout the project’s implementation.
