Masdar launches its first project in Malaysia with the construction of a 200 MW floating solar power plant Pahang, 29 October / WAM / Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company Masdar, Seta Global Berhad and Tiza Global announced today the start of construction work on the Chera floating solar photovoltaic power plant project at Chera Dam in the Malaysian state of Pahang, with a production capacity of 200 MW, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the project, which is one of the largest floating solar projects in Southeast Asia and is expected to enter operation in 2028. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by His Royal Highness Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, Sultan of Pahang, and His Excellency Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Chief Minister of Pahang, along with a number of senior officials from the project partners. Once operational, the project is expected to produce clean electricity sufficient to supply about 100,000 homes, and to provide nearly 1,500 job opportunities during the development and construction phases. Chera Solar, established by the consortium of partners, will develop the project. The project combines Masdar's expertise in developing floating solar projects, including the 145 MW Cirata project in Indonesia, and Seta Global's expertise in developing infrastructure and energy projects, along with Tiza Global's expertise in project development and managing relationships with local entities. His Royal Highness Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, Sultan of Pahang, said that the state is committed to supporting initiatives that enhance sustainable development, affirming that the Chera project embodies the responsible use of natural resources to support Malaysia's renewable energy targets and provides opportunities for local communities and the industrial sector. He expressed his aspiration for the positive impacts the project will have on Pahang and Malaysia. For his part, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said that the Malaysian market represents strategic importance for the company amid growing demand for electricity with the expansion of investments in advanced industries and digital infrastructure, and Malaysia's promising potential for developing renewable energy projects. He added that the Chera project, which represents Masdar's first project in Malaysia, confirms the company's commitment to long-term investment in the country and constitutes an important step to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia. He noted that Masdar will employ its global expertise in floating solar energy, in cooperation with its local partners, to support Malaysia's energy sector goals and contribute to creating job opportunities and opening new economic prospects in Pahang. For his part, Dr. Mohamed Norza Zakaria, Executive Chairman and Chairman of Seta Global and Tiza Global, said that the start of construction represents an important phase in expanding Seta Global's renewable energy portfolio, noting that the two companies will cooperate with Masdar and work teams to implement the project, benefiting from their expertise in infrastructure and local project development. The project achieved financial close on 27 October this month, after securing financing worth approximately 580 million Malaysian ringgit from three global financial institutions, supporting the alignment of financing with future revenues, attracting international capital to Malaysia's renewable energy sector, and enhancing the participation of local entities in achieving long-term economic returns. Chera Solar had previously signed a power purchase agreement with Malaysia's national electricity company Tenaga Nasional Berhad in December 2025, stipulating the sale of electricity generated by the project for 21 years from the start of commercial operation. The project was also awarded after competition within the Large Scale Solar (+5) program in Malaysia, after the consortium of developers submitted the lowest tariff in the floating solar projects category. The Chera project is Masdar's first project in Malaysia within plans to develop renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 10 GW, according to the agreement concluded between Masdar and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority in 2023, while the company continues to study the feasibility of another floating solar project in the Murum Dam area in Sarawak state. The partners will cooperate with Malaysian authorities, local communities and all relevant stakeholders across the various stages of the project, from development and construction through to operation. An agreement specific to the project site was also signed with Pahang Water Resources and Energy Company. The project benefits from an existing water reservoir to generate electricity from solar energy, helping reduce the need to allocate new land for solar power plants, in line with Malaysia's targets to raise the share of renewable energy to 35% of total installed electricity generation capacity by 2030. Floating solar projects are expected to contribute to supporting the achievement of this target. AD / MQ / ZI * Economy * United Arab Emirates (ARE) * Events * Pahang The news is also available in the following languages:

Masdar starts construction for one of Southeast Asia's largest floating solar projects in Malaysia. WAM 29 Oct 2026, 17:09 GMT+ PAHANG, Malaysia, 29th October, 2026 (WAM) - Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar), Citaglobal Berhad and TIZA Global Sdn Bhd today marked the start of construction of the 200-megawatt (MW) Chereh Dam Floating Solar PV Project with a groundbreaking ceremony in Pahang, Malaysia. Chereh Solar Sdn Bhd, the partners' project company, is developing the plant, which is expected to begin operations in 2028. One of the largest floating solar developments in Southeast Asia, Chereh is expected to generate sufficient clean electricity to power the equivalent of 100,000 homes. The project will create around 1,500 jobs during development and construction. The project combines Masdar's floating solar experience, including its work on the 145MW Cirata project in Indonesia, with Citaglobal's infrastructure and energy development capabilities and TIZA Global's project development and local stakeholder engagement experience. The ceremony was attended by His Royal Highness Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the Sultan of Pahang; Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Chief Minister of Pahang, together with senior leadership from the project partners. His Royal Highness Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the Sultan of Pahang said: Pahang is committed to supporting initiatives that advance sustainable development and create lasting value for its people. The Chereh Floating Solar Project reflects how its natural resources can be used responsibly to contribute to Malaysia's renewable energy ambitions, while bringing opportunities for local communities and industry. I look forward to seeing the project deliver meaningful benefits for Pahang and the nation." Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, commented: Malaysia is a strategically important market for Masdar, with rising electricity demand, strong renewable energy potential and growing investment in advanced industries and digital infrastructure. As its first project in the country, Chereh marks an important milestone in its long-term commitment to Malaysia and its expansion across Southeast Asia. By combining Masdar's global floating solar expertise with strong local partnerships, Abu Dhabi News will support Malaysia's energy ambitions while creating jobs and new economic opportunities in Pahang." Mohamad Norza Zakaria, Executive Chairman and President of Citaglobal Berhad and TIZA Global Sdn Bhd, said: The start of construction at Chereh is an important step in building Citaglobal's renewable power generation portfolio. With long-term electricity sales contracted to TNB, the priority now is to deliver the project and bring it into operation. Citaglobal and TIZA Global will work closely with Masdar and the project team, drawing on its infrastructure and local development experience to support delivery in Pahang." Financial close was reached on the project on 27 October, with approximately 580 million MYR raised in Malaysian ringgit from three international lenders. The financing structure aligns project funding with future project revenues while attracting international capital into Malaysia's renewable energy sector and supporting long-term local economic participation. Chereh Solar Sdn Bhd signed the power purchase agreement (PPA) with Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Malaysia's national utility company, in December 2025. The agreement provides for the sale of electricity generated by the project for 21 years from commercial operation. The project was secured through a competitive tender process under Malaysia's Large Scale Solar (LSS) Cycle 5+ programme, with the consortium's bid offering the lowest tariff in the floating solar category. Through its investment in Chereh Solar, Citaglobal is expanding its participation in renewable power generation alongside its established infrastructure activities. Chereh forms a key component of the Group's New Energy platform, which spans solar, hydropower and Bio-CNG initiatives. For Masdar, Chereh is its first project in Malaysia and will be the inaugural project under the 10-gigawatt renewable energy roadmap agreed with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in 2023. Masdar is also progressing a feasibility study for a major floating solar installation at the Murum reservoir in Sarawak. The partners will work closely with Malaysian authorities, local communities and stakeholders throughout development, construction and operations. A Site Agreement has also been signed with Pahang Water & Energy Resources to support the project's development. By using an existing reservoir for solar generation, the project reduces the need for land-based solar sites. Malaysia has targeted increasing the share of renewables in its installed electricity-generation capacity to 35% by 2030, with floating solar expected to contribute significantly to this target.

Masdar starts construction on 200MW solar energy project in Malaysia. Foating development is said to be one of the largest in South-East Asia. The National October 29, 2026 Abu Dhabi clean energy company Masdar has started construction on its first project in Malaysia, set to be one of the largest floating solar developments in South-East Asia. The 200MW Chereh Dam solar photovoltaic project in Parang state is being built by a consortium that also includes Malaysia's Citaglobal construction company and investment firm Tiza Global, Masdar said on Thursday. The project's financing was finalised on Tuesday with about 580 million ringgit ($142.9 million) raised from three international lenders, Masdar said. Plans for the development were first unveiled last December, and at the time showed that the value of the project was about $208 million. The Chereh project, which is poised to generate clean electricity to power the equivalent of 100,000 homes, will create about 1,500 jobs and is set to open up economic opportunities in Pahang, Masdar said. The development combines Masdar's expertise in floating solar projects, including its work on the 145MW Cirata project in Indonesia, with Citaglobal's infrastructure and energy development capabilities, and Tiza's project development and local stakeholder engagement experience, Masdar said. Masdar chief executive Mohamed Al Ramahi said it also emphasises the strategic importance of Malaysia and the broader South-East Asia region, as electricity demand rises, the potential for renewable energy grows and investments continue to flow. "Chereh marks an important milestone in our long-term commitment to Malaysia and our expansion across Southeast Asia," he said. "By combining Masdar's global floating solar expertise with strong local partnerships, we will support Malaysia's energy ambitions while creating jobs and new economic opportunities in Pahang." Masdar, jointly owned by Taqa, Adnoc and Mubadala, has developed projects in various countries, with a combined capacity of more than 65GW. Its entry into Malaysia follows previous moves in Asia. The company signed agreements to develop power plants, including what was then South-East Asia's largest floating solar plant, in Indonesia, and to build renewable energy projects with a capacity of 1GW in the Philippines. In August, Masdar launched its second battery energy storage system project in the UK, as the company continues to boost its presence there amid higher demand for clean energy. In July, Masdar and ScottishPower completed a major construction stage at a $5.42 billion offshore wind farm project off the English coast, which is set to be one of the largest in the world. The Chereh project "reflects how our natural resources can be used responsibly to contribute to Malaysia's renewable energy ambitions, while bringing opportunities for local communities and industry", said the Sultan of Pahang, Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al Mustafa Billah Shah. Updated: October 29, 2026, 10:06 AM