[Roundtable Discussion] From Roadmaps to Realities: Strategies for large-scale solar integration in Peninsular Malaysia

Ms. Cheng Xin Hui, Assoc. Prof. Dr. How Bing Shen, and Prof. Viknesh Andiappan from HoPES recently convened a multi-stakeholder roundtable discussion to examine the land-use implications of large-scale solar deployment in Peninsular Malaysia. This work was supported through a grant from the Centre for Responsible Technology, a collaboration between Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

 

The roundtable was organised in response to growing concerns surrounding land availability as Malaysia accelerates renewable energy expansion under the National Energy Transition Roadmap, alongside increasing electricity demand driven by the rapid growth of data centres. During the session, researchers from HoPES presented key findings obtained from a quantitative energy system planning model developed by researchers from HoPES to estimate the projected land-use required in meeting future electricity demand primarily through large-scale solar expansion.

 

The presentation was followed by an interactive focus group discussions, which explored policy and implementation gaps related to land-use planning, including challenges associated with cross-sector coordination, site selection processes, and environmental considerations in solar development.

 

The roundtable forms part of an ongoing effort to translate quantitative modelling outcomes into actionable policy insights through stakeholder engagement. Inputs gathered during the session contributed towards the development of an evidence-based policy paper aimed at supporting sustainable and efficient large-scale solar deployment in Peninsular Malaysia.