KUALA LUMPUR: Solar photovoltaic (PV) and earthing and lightning protection (ELP) specialist Pekat Group Bhd’s project in Pulau Tioman was adjudged the second runner-up in the “On Grid – Local Grid” category at the National Energy Awards 2021.
The project’s subsidiary Pekat Solar Sdn Bhd (PSSB) won the award for the 144kWp solar PV system and 274kWh Energy Storage System (ESS) for the Barat Tioman Beach Resort.
The project was also the second runner-up under the same category, “On Grid – Local Grid” at the Asean Energy Awards 2021.
The ceremony was held virtually yesterday in conjunction with 39th Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) and Asean Energy Business Forum 2021.
The awards strengthened Pekat Group’s position in the country’s renewable power sector riding on its renewable energy (RE) project in Pulau Tioman.
Pekat executive director Wee Chek Aik said the RE project has successfully improved the social-economic and environment aspects for the resort and the community.
“PSSB undertook the project to supply renewable energy alternative technology such as solar and hybrid microgrid systems to supply the energy shortage to the resort.
“The solar hybrid system has helped the resort to reduce dependency on the utility grid, reduce operating cost of using diesel generators as well as reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
“This system has proven to save up to RM250,000 annually as the Tenaga Nasional bill and diesel cost are reduced. The initial upfront investment is estimated to give back positive returns on the fifth year of the system being operated,” he added.
Before installing the PV ESS, Barat Tioman Beach Resort rely solely on supply from the national utility grid and its own diesel generator to fulfil its average daily load of about 80kW-100kW.
The utility company supplies electricity to the island with a 8.9MW diesel power plant at Tekek Village and a 500kW mini hydro plant at Juara village through 11kV distribution lines.
However, due to the increase in population and tourists in Pulau Tioman, the utility grid is unable to cater to the power supply demand from their resort.
Additionally, the resort also faced issues such as worn-out electrical system, insufficient power, instable grid and high operating cost for diesel generator.
Due to the unstable grid and lack of alternative energy sources on Pulau Tioman, hence the microgrid hybrid solar system is the ideal solution to provide uninterrupted electricity to the resort.
Wee said this holds enormous potential for Pekat as the market growth of the solar system and lithium energy storage is expected to grow in the coming years.
“The energy cost of such systems will reduce greatly in a few years’ time. Today, electricity is generated from various sources of energy and distributed through the grids to consumers,” he said.
Source : TheStar
