GUA MUSANG, Kelantan: The Nenggiri hydroelectric dam project here will see the installation of a hybrid hydro-floating solar (HHFS) photovoltaic (PV) project upon completion of the dam in 2027.
TNB Power Generation Sdn Bhd (TNB Genco) managing director Muhamad Nazri Pazil said the implementation is in line with the government's aspirations to enhance the use of renewable energy (RE) as outlined in the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
The Nenggiri hydro dam site is expected to have 1,000 megawatt (MW) floating solar capacity.
"Demand for RE is increasing and the government aims for the RE capacity in the country's electricity supply to reach 70 per cent by 2050. This is why we need more solar energy to reduce the usage of coal and gas," he said.
He added that the hydro dam would enable the hybrid use of solar and hydro power which complement each other.
Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) had previously announced that it sees investment worth RM2 billion in HHFS PV projects.
Earlier this year, the national utility company said it was embarking on the projects at its hydro dam reservoirs.
This came after its first pilot project at Stesen Janakuasa Sultan Azlan Shah in Maniung, Perak was a success.
The company plans to expedite the implementation of the 2,500 MW HHFS, beginning with 30MW at its Chenderoh hydro-reservoir followed by its Temenggor hydro-reservoir, both in Perak and Kenyir hydro-reservoir in Terengganu.
Meanwhile, Nazri said the Nenggiri hydro dam was 40 per cent completed as at June 2024. It is expected to be fully completed by mid-2027 and commence operations in November the same year.
Besides generating electricity, the dam is expected to mitigate flooding issue in Kelantan.
"It will also provide positive socio-economic impact to the locals such as economic advancement, job opportunities and eco tourism," added Nazri.