Hydro Partners with SolarDuck and TNB for Offshore Floating Solar Energy Project in Malaysia

Photo: SolarDuck

(IN BRIEF) Hydro, a global aluminium supplier, has signed a letter of intent to collaborate with SolarDuck and subsidiaries of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) on an offshore floating solar energy project in Malaysia. The partnership aims to advance offshore floating solar solutions in the region. Hydro will provide engineering support and manufacture aluminium components for the 780 kW SolarDuck offshore floating solar plant, scheduled to be installed off the coast of Tioman Island by 2025. Southeast Asia’s limited wind resources and land scarcity make offshore floating solar an attractive option for renewable energy generation. The project represents a significant step towards a net-zero future in Malaysia. The triangular design of the solar system ensures it remains afloat while keeping the panels and electrical components above the waterline. Aluminium’s lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties make it an ideal material for the project. The collaboration demonstrates a commitment to sustainable energy solutions and the transition to a greener future.

(PRESS RELEASE) OSLO, 16-Jun-2023 — /EuropaWire/ —  Norsk Hydro ASA (OTCMKTS: NHYDY), a Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company committed to a sustainable future, has announced a letter of intent to partner with SolarDuck, an offshore floating solar energy technology developer, and two subsidiaries of Malaysian electricity utility Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), namely TNB Renewables Sdn Bhd and TNB Research Sdn Bhd. This collaboration aims to advance offshore floating solar energy solutions in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

Under the agreement, Hydro will provide engineering support, manufacture, and deliver the aluminium components for the 780 kW SolarDuck offshore floating solar plant. The installation, scheduled for completion in 2025, will be located off the coast of Tioman Island, Malaysia.

“Solar energy is part of the necessary shift to renewable energy. Extruded aluminium solutions are the perfect fit for such installations with their light weight and strength, and the fact that they require little or no maintenance,” says Paul Warton, Executive Vice President of Hydro Extrusions. 

In 2021, Hydro already delivered aluminium profiles for SolarDuck’s pilot structure. The upcoming project with TNB will involve deliveries from Hydro’s extrusion plants in Lichtervelde, Belgium, and Magnor, Norway.

Addressing Energy Challenges in Southeast Asia Southeast Asia faces limited wind resources, making wind energy generation difficult. Additionally, land scarcity poses challenges for large-scale solar developments located on land in the region. By exploring offshore floating solar solutions, new opportunities for renewable energy generation arise in Malaysia and beyond.

SolarDuck’s CEO, Koen Burgers, believes this collaboration represents a significant step towards a net-zero future for Malaysia. He anticipates offshore floating solar solutions to become the most affordable marine energy technology by 2030.

Optimal Use of Aluminium The triangular design of the offshore floating solar system allows it to float above the waves while keeping the solar panels and electrical components safely above the waterline. Aluminium, known for its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties, is the ideal material for these applications.

The partnership between Hydro, SolarDuck, and TNB signifies a commitment to driving sustainable energy solutions and propelling Malaysia’s journey towards a greener and more resilient future.

“Aluminium is our material of choice because of its strength to weight ratio and ability to withstand the corrosive offshore environment for the lifetime of the structure,” says Burgers. 

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