UEM LESTRA TEAM UPS WITH ACWA POWER TO DEVELOP IWPP FACILITIES IN MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) -- UEM Group Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiary and green industries arm UEM Lestra Bhd (UEM Lestra) has partnered with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power to conduct a feasibility study and jointly develop renewable independent water and power plant (IWPP) facilities in Malaysia.

UEM Lestra chief executive officer (CEO) Harman Faiz Habib Muhamad said the partnership marks a significant step towards delivering sustainable industrial-grade water supply and power in Malaysia. 

“If implemented, it has the potential to further attract manufacturing and data centre-type of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country. 

“We are committed to working alongside ACWA Power to ensure the successful implementation of these facilities, which will not only address the increasing industrial demand for water resources but also align with Malaysia’s ambitious renewable energy objectives,” he said in a statement today. 

Meanwhile, ACWA Power chief investment and development officer Thomas Brostrom said its collaboration with UEM Lestra underscores its commitment to delivering sustainable energy and water solutions. 

“By harnessing ACWA Power’s global expertise in renewable infrastructure and advanced technologies like sea water reverse osmosis (SWRO), we are addressing Malaysia’s industrial water needs while contributing to the nation’s green infrastructure development,” he said.  

He noted that the partnership supports Malaysia’s sustainability goals, attracts foreign investment, and sets a benchmark for innovative, future-ready utilities.

The strategic partnership agreement was signed today by Harman Faiz and chief development officer Rashidi Hazrin Harun with ACWA Power chief investment and development officer Thomas Brostrom and ACWA Power country CEO Mathew Chandapillai. 

Under the agreement, ACWA Power will undertake a feasibility study together with UEM Lestra as well as explore the setting-up of renewable IWPP facilities and the use of SWRO technology in the country.

According to the statement, the feasibility study is anticipated to take between six to 12 months and will, among others. look at desalination plants capable of producing between 200,000 and 400,000 cubic metres of water daily meant for industrial use. 

The study will also focus on incorporating IWPP facilities with either combined cycle gas turbine solutions, large-scale solar farm (ground or floating) equipped with battery energy storage system or a combination of both, it added.

-- BERNAMA