EPIC Aims To Continue Expanding Renewable Energy Business

By Durratul Ain Ahmad Fuad

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) — Eastern Pacific Industrial Corporation Bhd (EPIC), a subsidiary of the Terengganu state government, aims to continue expanding its renewable energy (RE) business, including the installation and maintenance of solar farms and rooftop solar projects.

EPIC, established on Jan 17, 1981, is a government-linked company (GLC) under the Terengganu Inc Group, operating as an integrated oil and gas service provider for upstream and downstream value chains. Its core business is providing base services for the offshore oil and gas industry, in addition to port management, marine services, engineering services, and maintenance services.

Group CEO Muhtar Suhaili said EPIC, through its subsidiaries EPIC Solar Sdn Bhd (ESSB) and Eastern Pacific Properties Sdn Bhd (EPPSB), intends to enhance its business in renewable energy-related projects, including potential involvement in large-scale floating solar farm projects by TNB Power Generation Sdn Bhd (TNB Genco) and Terengganu Inc (TI) at Kenyir Lake.

“We are currently in discussions with relevant parties to ensure that EPIC is given the opportunity to become a contractor for solar-related projects, as we have experience and are in the process of further enhancing our capabilities. The only thing we need to ensure is that it provides a good return to the company to ensure the sustainability of revenue and profits from this business segment,” he told Bernama.

He mentioned that there are many other solar-related projects being worked on by EPIC at the moment, which have received positive responses and generated interest from the industry. 

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EPIC among PV pioneers on the East Coast

Through its subsidiary ESSB, EPIC is among the pioneers of large-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar farms in Malaysia, especially in the East Coast region.

EPIC Solar has developed a 28-hectare solar power plant at the Teluk Kalong industrial area, Kemaman, Terengganu, which fully applies sustainable green technology. The power plant has been operational since April 2018.

The 18.5-megawatt (MW) energy generated by this solar plant is directly transferred to Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) through the national grid system.

Muhtar stated that EPIC activated its subsidiary EPPSB in 2024, focusing on non-large-scale solar businesses such as solar street lights and solar-powered buggies.

“We have produced and sold seven solar-powered buggies called EPIC Solar Car (ESCAR). This solar-powered buggy is one of our initiatives developed through joint research by EPIC and TATI University College (UC TATI).

“We are also in talks with several golf clubs to use ESCAR as a more environmentally friendly alternative,” he said. “We (EPIC) have already been in contact with the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) and the Energy Commission (ST) of Malaysia to become a registered solar PV service provider (RPVSP) and registered solar PV investor (RPVI) to successfully carry out this RE business.” 

EPIC targets RM2.8 million for CSR sustainability programme

Regarding its sustainability framework, Muhtar mentioned that under the ‘Sustainability Framework and Aspiration EPIC’, the company has outlined three key pillars to ensure it meets global standards - environmental sustainability, positive social impact, and sustainability governance.

“As a GLC, we are committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Last year, the company spent RM2.3 million on CSR programs, this year, we estimate the CSR expenditure will increase to RM2.8 million.

“The company also complies with and adapts the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (MCCG), besides creating policies related to transparency, anti-corruption, integrity, and so on,” he added.

Meanwhile, he said other initiatives under the sustainability framework include EPIC's participation in the PETRONAS Supplier Support Programme (PSSP) and the implementation of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting starting this year. “We are also in the process of meeting all the requirements to obtain green port certification for Kemaman Port by 2035,” he stated.

Muhtar also shared several other projects aligned with the sustainability framework, such as the Green Ship Recycling Facility (GSRF) cum Decommissioning Remediation Facility (DRF) at Kemaman Port, which complies with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (Hong Kong Convention).

All these activities and projects clearly demonstrate EPIC’s commitment to sustainability and resilience, extending beyond the various businesses the company is involved in.

-- BERNAMA