Company initiates RM34mil mini-hydropower CSR project

Local residents helping to construct a mini hydropower project using renewable energy sources at Sungai Gedong in Bidor, Perak

PETALING JAYA: A local company has initiated a RM34mil mini-hydropower project in Perak to provide green energy for the local community.

Gading Kencana Sdn Bhd founder Datuk Guntor Tobeng said the mini-hydropower project in Sungai Gedong in Bidor, Perak was part of the company's corporate social responsibility programme to provide communities with electricity without harming the environment.

"This mini-hydropower project does not involve the burning of fossil fuels such as gas, diesel or coal.

"Electricity is instead generated from water flowing in the river. This will help to reduce the carbon footprint," he said.

The Sustainable Energy Development Authority (Seda) had opened bidding for the project in December last year, which Gading Kencana won.

"Skilled and semi-skilled locals especially those from Bidor can get involved in the project, either during the construction phase or during the operational phase," he said.

"This project will create 100 job opportunities for locals and is scheduled for completion in December 2022," he said.

"With the capacity to generate 3MW electricity, each renewable energy mini-hydropower plant could help reduce need to import 1,920 tonnes of coal worth about RM400,000 according to current market price," he said.

The company hoped to expand the eco-friendly mini hydropower project to other parts of the country, including remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak.

"Malaysia is rich in river water resources and we can utilise this to light up remote areas," he said.