Johor Sultan cancels RM1.4b solar project's ground-breaking ceremony, blaming Putrajaya's silence
KUALA LUMPUR (March 9): As a result of the federal government's silence on the proposed RM1.4 billion Sultan Ibrahim Solar Park in Pengerang, the ground-breaking ceremony for the project scheduled for March 23 has been cancelled.
Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar of Johor, who announced this in his official Facebook account today, said he does not see any reason why Putrajaya would not be willing to give Johor a chance to be an eco-friendly producer of electricity.
"We have a suitable plot for the project, robust growth and development, as well as a healthy demand from our neighbour, which makes Johor the most strategic location," he said.
The ruler of Johor announced the project on Feb 28, saying it would be the biggest of its kind in the region with a capacity of 450 megawatts.
The multi-billion project was set to become the largest solar power storage system in Southeast Asia when fully operational by 2023.
The solar park was also Johor's first major private investment in 2021 and the result of Sultan Ibrahim's continued efforts to draw investment and development to boost the socio-economic well-being of the people in the state.
Sultan Ibrahim also stated that the project was in line with the 2030 Johor Sustainable Development Plan, which places major emphasis on environmental preservation and protection as part of the state's economic development plan for a more prosperous society.
It would also have a positive economic spillover effect on the state, with job creation at various levels, as the solar park would be the region's largest solar energy storage system when fully operational, he said.
http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/johor-sultan-cancels-rm14b-solar-projects-groundbreaking-ceremony-blaming-putrajayas-silence
