Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the rooftop of MMHE West in Johor span 40,923.5sqm and can supply energy for eight buildings.
Globally trusted energy and marine solutions provider Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Berhad (MHB) is intensifying sustainability efforts by powering its operations in Johor with rooftop solar installation the size of six football fields.
The rooftop of its operating yard Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Sdn Bhd (MMHE) West in Pasir Gudang has been installed with 18,720 units of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with 8.3-megawatt peak (MWp), spanning close to 41,000 sq m (440,500 sq ft) that will provide energy for eight buildings within the yard.
The solar panels can collectively generate an estimated 10,000-megawatt hours (MWh) of clean energy each year for MMHE West, the single largest fabrication yard in South-East Asia, which will translate into a reduction of approximately 6,300 tonnes of carbon emissions into the atmosphere annually.
For the 21-year duration of the agreement with PETRONAS via M+ which installed the panels, MHB will achieve a reduction of 132,000 tonnes of carbon emissions or the equivalent of planting two million trees! For comparison, the power generated from the solar PV panels is sufficient to light up 725 double-storey homes for a year, giving an estimated savings of RM30 million in electricity bills for the said period.
This new source of energy makes MMHE’s electricity mix a lot more environmentally friendly and demonstrates how it is possible for clean energy to be used to power heavy and energy-intensive industries.
MHB, through its operating company MMHE, has a track record of more than 40 years in delivering integrated and complex heavy engineering and marine solutions for various international oil and gas clients. Among the services offered are offshore, onshore, conversion and marine repair solutions.
In line with United Nations’ (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), MHB has streamlined its sustainability goals and commitments in 2019 by introducing its Green Initiatives that included intensified efforts in energy saving, waste management and water conservation.
MHB’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Pandai Othman said that MHB firmly believes in making a positive difference to the communities that it operates within.
“Our programmes focus on empowering communities, education, environment and charitable-giving. Our activities are funded by profit from business operations and the funds are raised by employees and partnerships with other parties.
“Rather than being just a one-time programme, we aim for the long haul and as such, have devised sustainable initiatives that will benefit the community over the years and involve our employees as much as possible while instilling the spirit of volunteerism,” he said.
MHB Art of Science which started in 2013 aspires to stimulate youth interest in the science and technology disciplines by using the marine and oil and gas projects as examples. – Photo taken before Covid-19 pandemic
From a business perspective, MHB recognises the dynamics of the Energy Transition agenda and is exploring opportunities in the renewable energy sector, including the construction of onshore and offshore wind turbines for wind farm projects. To date, it has established partnerships with various international engineering solution providers for that purpose. MHB remains open to more partnerships globally in both the renewable energy as well as the decarbonisation sectors, for the heavy engineering as well as marine repair and maintenance works. Areas like carbon capture storage and utilisation, hydrogen production, energy-efficient marine propulsion system and many more will prove very interesting in the very near future.
To ensure the future success of an organisation, the reasonable business approach would be to create long-term value by taking into consideration how the organisation operates in the environment as well as in the social and governance segments. When it deals with these sustainability issues, it means the organisation is future-proofing itself by anticipating and addressing the risks before they affect the organisation. MHB is an advocate of reducing climate change and will continually strive in that direction for future business dealings. This forms an integral component of MHB’s sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) push.
“In order for a company to be able to sustain operations for the next 100 years, it is imperative to adapt to different situations so that we remain relevant. We should not be afraid to explore and grow and think beyond financial gains. We should also work from a standpoint of purpose and passion. Invest and trust in your people’s capability and then drive them to excel as they will bring success to the company,” Pandai added.
“Our efforts to build a better world are aligned with our mission statement to protect and preserve the environment as we embrace our responsibility in ensuring a sustainable world for future generations. This is the foundation in which our sustainability efforts are built on as MHB works towards improving people’s well-being and their quality of life,” he concluded.
