Image: Gentari 

Clean energy company Gentari and construction and engineering firm Gamuda have announced a partnership to develop 1.5GW of solar power plants paired with battery energy storage systems (BESS) across Malaysia.

The projects, to be developed through their subsidiaries Gentari Renewables and Gamuda Energy, are designed to meet the growing electricity needs of hyperscale data centres, according to a joint statement from the two companies.

The new capacity will be implemented under Malaysia’s Corporate Green Power Programme (CRESS) framework, which enables businesses to purchase renewable electricity directly from developers through the national grid.

The companies highlighted the “urgent need” to expand renewable energy capacity in order to support the rapid growth of data centres, with demand expected to reach 5GW by 2035.

Joshua Kong Sing Hoe, Director of Gamuda Energy, emphasized that access to clean energy will be crucial to retaining investment from leading global technology companies in Malaysia. “This landmark partnership sets the model for future collaborations aimed at powering sustainable development across industries, while supporting the national net-zero ambition,” he said.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Malaysia’s cumulative solar capacity reached 2,306MW by the end of 2024, up from 2,146MW at the end of 2023. The country has set a target of achieving 40% renewable energy in its national energy mix by 2040.