UEM Sunrise, Itramas, CMEC ink Johor RE deal

UEM Group managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani.

KUALA LUMPUR: UEM Group Bhd via its property arm UEM Sunrise Bhd has inked an agreement to partner Itramas Corp Sdn Bhd and China Machinery Engineering Corp (CMEC) to develop a 40-acre renewable energy (RE) industrial park in Gerbang Nusajaya, Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

In a joint statement, the parties said the RE Industrial Park is part of the one gigawatt hybrid solar power plant project and is one of the flagship catalytic projects under Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap or NETR.

It was first announced by the government in July 2023, which saw memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed between UEM Group, Itramas and CMEC subsidiary China Machinery Engineering Wuxi Co Ltd (CMECWUXI), along with Blueleaf Energy and HEXA Renewables.

It said the RE Industrial Park will be strategically designed to attract Chinese manufacturers and suppliers across the RE and electric vehicle (EV) value chains, as well as high-tech research and development companies to establish its operations within the park.

Additionally, the RE Industrial Park will feature an RE Hub, housing a cutting-edge solar module factory and advanced research facilities, among other amenities.

“As we forge ahead with the RE Industrial Park, the strategic importance of attracting manufacturers, suppliers and industry players from across the RE and EV value chains from China cannot be overstated.

“Securing partnership interest from China not only enhances the viability and impact of this national strategic project, but also underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration in driving sustainable development,” said UEM Group managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani.

UEM Sunrise chief executive officer Sufian Abdullah added that the prime location of Gerbang Nusajaya in proximity with Singapore, complemented by access to major air and seaports significantly enhanced its industrial appeal to the international investors.