BANK ISLAM IMPLEMENTS OFF-GRID SOLAR POWER SYSTEM

MERSING, July 3 (Bernama) - In an effort to decrease diesel dependence and safeguard marine life, Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd (Bank Islam) has equipped 21 fishing boats in this district with the Off-Grid Solar Electric Power System.

Bank Islam Group Chief Executive Datuk Mohd Muazzam Mohamed said the initiative to equip fishing boats with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, thereby transforming them into smart eco-PV boats, was carried out in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM).

He said the RM100,000 project was financed through public donations to Sadaqa House, Bank Islam’s globally recognized social finance initiative.

“The boats will be equipped with technology that will not only enhance their capabilities but also reduce water pollution, noise, and carbon emissions, in addition to providing diesel savings of about RM150 per month.

“This project also demonstrates our commitment to supporting the national target of achieving 40 percent renewable energy consumption by 2035, as outlined in the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR),” he said when officiating the project at Pangkalan Sungai Mersing today.

Also present were LKIM director-general Hamdan Mamat and head of the UTM Fishing Boat Off-Grid Solar Electric Power System Development Project Dr Madihah Mohd Rasid.

Mohd Muazzam also said the initiative had been implemented with the cooperation of 13 institutions of higher learning involving 180 students and staff nationwide, such as Port Dickson Polytechnic, Negeri Sembilan; Beaufort Community College, Sabah; and Jitra National Youth Skills Institute, Kedah.

“This project began in February and was fully completed on April 30. Alhamdulillah, we’ve observed positive outcomes from equipping the involved boats with these facilities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hamdan said that LKIM welcomes contributions from any party aimed at supporting fishermen and further developing the country’s fisheries sector.

“This more modern and innovative system is expected to boost protein supply and reduce dependence on imported food, while also attracting young people to pursue fishing with the latest technology,” he said.

Since 2018, Sadaqa House has channelled over RM400,000 towards providing renewable energy sources to vulnerable rural communities.