Ambitious 1 GW agrivoltaic livestock farming project declared in Malaysia

• The Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute is planning a huge solar energy project which will integrate agriculture and livestock farming in the Sabah region. The research institute claims to have secured $50 million for the project's initial, 200 MW phase. The 25,000ha needed for the projects will host up to 150,000 cattle in addition to cultivation of forage crops like kenaf, corn, hay and wheat.

The Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) is planning a 1 GW solar project that will include livestock farming at the Sabah state of northern Borneo.

The institute – that is collectively owned by Malaysia's largest automobile Producer, Perodua, and fellow automotive firm Arus Jaya – confirmed reports carried in local press and announced it has secured $50 million for the project's initial, 200 MW phase. The institute said the solar park will occupy 25,000ha with solar panels deployed on barns and warehouses and will host around 150,000 cattle.

The project will be developed by South Korean biomass specialist NET Kovina Co, Ltd and Malaysian-South Korean firm Max Legacy Sdn Bhd. Representatives of both companies, together with MARii employees, have met Malaysia's global trade and industry minister, Datuk Darell, to discuss project details.

Farming features

No additional financial or technical details of this project were provided and it's unclear if the complex is going to get public financing.

A 50 MW agrivoltaic project was recently commissioned at the state of Kedah, in northwest Malaysia. That plant, which comprises JA Solar modules, was assembled by Chinese state-owned power firm Edra Power Holdings Sdn Bhd on a 104ha plot at the town of Kuala Ketil, northeast of Penang.

The Malaysian authorities support large scale PV capacity deployment via an auction mechanism.