SEPANG: The photovoltaic solar farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) project at KLIA Aeropolis is expected to reduce the carbon emissions of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) by around 30 per cent when fully operational in 2027.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd
(MAHB) group managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said the target would be a significant contribution towards cleaner and more responsible airport operations.
He said the initiative also bolsters KLIA’s achievements and progress toward Level 5 of Airport Carbon Accreditation by the Airports Council International, after reaching Level 3.
The project is not just a renewable energy (RE) initiative but also a strategic step to support decarbonisation and increase the energy resilience of the country’s critical transport infrastructure, he said.
"In 2025, KLIA handled 63.3 million passengers, reflecting its large-scale and complex operations. This scale of operations demands stable and resilient power supply capabilities to ensure operational continuity, service quality and MAHB’s aspiration to make Malaysia the most connected country in Southeast Asia by 2030,” he said.
He said this at the launch event for the solar farm and BESS, officiated by Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, here today.
Mohd Izani said the project is developed in an existing oil palm plantation area without involving deforestation and is specifically designed to support the airport’s operational needs.
"It allows the transition to the use of lower-carbon RE to occur in a practical, planned manner and in line with the long-term growth needs of KLIA as a regional aviation hub,” he said.
Mohd Izani said the initiative also supports MAHB’s target to achieve a 20 per cent RE mix by 2030 and net-zero carbon by 2050.
He said the project also aligns with the government’s aspiration to achieve 70 per cent RE use by 2050 as outlined in the National Energy Transition Roadmap.
The project is a joint effort between MAHB and Cenergi SEA to strengthen airport operations and make them more sustainable and resilient, he said.
Apart from energy infrastructure, Mohd Izani said the Aeropolis’ solar farm would also comprise the development of a RE centre of excellence to support learning, knowledge sharing and capacity building in the field of clean energy.
"This initiative provides a platform for talent development and technology exposure to industry members and stakeholders,” he said.
He said the project’s success is the result of close collaboration between the public and private sectors, serving as an important foundation for shaping a more sustainable, competitive and interconnected future for airports. - Bernama
