Malaysia Launches Floating Solar Pilot At Kenyir Dam To Boost Hybrid Renewable Energy Strategy

Malaysia has taken an important step toward expanding its renewable energy capacity with the launch of a floating solar pilot project at Tasik Kenyir Dam. Located on Kenyir Lake, the largest man-made lake in mainland Southeast Asia, the project is being developed as part of the Hybrid Hydro Floating Solar (HHFS) initiative led by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). The effort reflects the country’s focus on integrating innovative technologies into its existing energy infrastructure to create a more reliable and sustainable power system.

The pilot project may be small in size, but it carries strong strategic importance. It consists of 220 solar photovoltaic panels installed over an area of about 1,085 square meters, with a total generation capacity of 100 kilowatts. The aim is to test how floating solar systems can work together with hydroelectric power plants. During daylight hours, the solar panels generate electricity, which helps reduce the need to use water for power generation. This allows the dam to conserve water resources, which can then be used later, especially during peak demand periods or at night when solar generation is not available.

This combined approach effectively turns the hydroelectric facility into a natural energy storage system. By managing water release more efficiently, operators can balance supply and demand while improving overall grid stability. The pilot will also help gather data on system performance, environmental impact, and long-term feasibility, which will be useful for scaling up similar projects in the future.

Kenyir Lake offers significant potential for the expansion of floating solar capacity. Covering around 36,900 hectares, the lake provides a large surface area that could be partially used for solar installations. Experts suggest that utilizing just 10 percent of the lake’s surface could generate more than 2.2 gigawatts of clean energy. This highlights the strong opportunity for Malaysia to scale up renewable energy production without the need for additional land.

Floating solar systems also bring environmental and practical advantages. By covering parts of the water surface, they can reduce evaporation, helping to conserve water levels in the reservoir. In addition, they avoid the need for land clearing or deforestation, which is often required for ground-mounted solar projects. This makes them a more sustainable option, particularly in areas where land availability is limited or environmentally sensitive.

The project is aligned with Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap, which targets 70 percent renewable energy in the national power mix by 2050. In addition to supplying clean electricity to the grid, the energy generated at Kenyir is expected to support future industrial developments, including a planned green hydrogen hub in collaboration with Petronas.

With this pilot project, Malaysia is taking a practical step toward combining solar and hydro resources in a single system. If successful, it could lead to larger floating solar developments across the country’s reservoirs, strengthening energy security while supporting long-term sustainability goals.