US$548mil deals ignite Malaysia’s first 24/7 solar power plant in Sarawak

• Five partners, including a division of China State Construction ink agreements
• Baram highlands designed to deliver round-the-clock, dispatchable renewable electricity

In a milestone for Malaysia’s clean energy ambitions, Planet QEOS Sdn Bhd has signed US$548 million (RM2.32 billion) worth of Heads of Agreement with five strategic partners to launch the Baram DeepTech Energy Program – paving the way for the nation’s first “firm” solar power plant. What this means, said Dr Walter Gabriel, CEO of Planet QEOS Sdn Bhd, is that, unlike regular solar farms that only produce power when the sun is shining, “a firm solar power plant combines large-scale solar with multi-gigawatt-hour batteries, delivering guaranteed, 24-hour renewable electricity — even at night or in bad weather.”

This landmark project in northern Sarawak’s Baram highlands will be the first in Malaysia designed to deliver round-the-clock, dispatchable renewable electricity on par with conventional gas and hydropower plants, marking a critical step toward groundbreaking construction.

“As a Kelabit with roots in Baram, this is more than a project – it is a promise fulfilled,” said Gabriel. “If our Premier Abang Johari Openg can boldly steer Sarawak into the global arena of renewable energy, we too are matching that courage. Sarawak may be small, but it is vast in ambition — and so is Planet QEOS. We were born here, we understand the land, and we know how to turn bold ideas into reality. This solar plant will deliver clean energy day and night, with the proven reliability of gas or hydro, while creating new industries, new jobs, and new hope in places long overlooked. In Baram, we are showing that the heartland of Sarawak can lead the nation’s green energy revolution — and that the future belongs to those brave enough to build it.”

Gerawat Gala, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration & Project Monitoring) and Deputy Chairman of the Highland Development Agency (HDA) stated his hope for the broader impact of the proposed project on the HDA area in Baram: “The Baram DeepTech program marks a defining chapter for the Highland Development Area. By bringing 24/7 renewable power to Baram, the project proponents are unlocking the full potential of the Baram hinterland for sustainable growth — with better connectivity and modern infrastructure and new industries and skilled jobs. This is a catalyst for Mulu constituency and the entire Upper Baram area to be developed in unison. I am proud to see our HDA area taking center stage in driving Sarawak’s green energy leadership.

The signing was held in conjunction with MEESTY’s Public-Industry Engagement Day and the official launch of Sarawak’s Energy Transition Policy (SET-P), graced by Abang Johari. The event gathered government, industry, and community leaders to advance Sarawak’s position as a regional clean energy hub and outline pathways toward achieving its 10GW generation capacity by 2030 – positioning Sarawak as the “Battery of ASEAN” and a major exporter of clean electrons to the region.

Local leaders hail the project as a game-changer for the highland communities. Dennis Ngau, ADUN (State Assemblyman) Telang Usan, said, “For generations, our people have yearned for development without sacrificing our heritage. Today, Baram shines as a beacon of progress – proving that a rural heartland can host world-class technology. This project not only lights up our longhouses and schools, but it also ignites hope for a brighter future in Telang Usan. We are proud to show the nation what Baram can achieve.”

Five partnerships driving community opliftment

The RM2.32 billion in agreements were signed with five strategic partners, each contributing unique strengths to Baram’s transformation:

• China Construction Sixth Engineering Bureau Corporation (CSCEC)– Lead Engineering & Development Partner: The construction firm (a division of China State Construction) will spearhead master-planning, design and fast-track execution of the Baram Special Economic Zone (SEZ). CSCEC is establishing a project office in Baram and will collaborate with local authorities to build roads, utilities and supply chains, transfer skills, and create jobs, ensuring the SEZ catalyzes long-term industrial growth and rural prosperity.
• ES Sunlogy Bhd – Solar & Battery Co-Developer (155 MWp + 310 MWh): A homegrown renewable energy firm, Sunlogy will co-develop a 155 MWp solar farm with 310 MWh of battery storage in Phase 1 with a project value around US$137 million (RM580 million). The company will also establish a permanent mechanical & electrical operations hub in Baram to support the solar farm and future facilities, anchoring technical expertise and jobs in the local community.
• EFS Group – Agrovoltaic & Food Security Partner (155 MWp + 310 MWh): EFS will co-develop another 155 MWp solar + 310 MWh battery plant (costing around RM580 million) while leading Baram’s agricultural integration.

Drawing on success with large-scale smart farms in Thailand, EFS will implement a 650 hectare agrovoltaic farm beneath the solar panels, cultivating high-value crops like cassava and biotech paddy. This dual-use approach is projected to create 500+ rural jobs and yield RM643 million in crop value, directly tackling food security and income for local communities.

A new agro R&D and logistics center in Baram will drive innovation in microbial fertilisers, drone farming and climate-resilient crops – embodying the SEZ’s mission of energy and food security.

• Founder Group Consortium – Green Energy & Data Center Investor (310 MWp + 620 MWh): A consortium led by Founder Group Ltd. (NASDAQ-listed) will invest in the largest single project: a 310 MWp solar farm with 620 MWh of storage (RM1.16 billion). Founder Group, together with a French renewable energy partner, brings over 5GW of global solar experience to ensure bankability and technical strength.

In parallel, the consortium will develop a 200 MW Tier-4 Green Data Center Park on 350 acres in Baram. This facility – the Sarawak Data Centre Park (SDCP) – is expected to attract more than RM1 billion in foreign direct investment and establish Sarawak’s leadership in green digital infrastructure in ASEAN. The data center cluster will leverage the new solar power for truly sustainable operations, anchoring long-term digital economy growth in the region.

• Hopewind – Technology & Training Partner: China-based Hopewind – a global leader in power electronics – joins as the primary inverter and power control system supplier for Baram’s solar plants.

Renowned for its advanced grid-forming inverter technology (the first in the world certified by DNV, a global management system certification body), Hopewind will ensure the solar-plus-storage system operates with world-class efficiency and grid stability.

Significantantly, Hopewind is investing in the community by setting up a Maintenance & Training Excellence Center in Baram. The center will train and certify 150+ local youths and engineers annually in renewable energy O&M, run STEM outreach for thousands of students, and collaborate with local universities on R&D. This will create over 150 skilled jobs and seed over 500 indirect jobs, making sure Baram’s clean energy infrastructure is maintained by a homegrown Sarawakian workforce.

A Transformative Leap for Sarawak and Malaysia

The Baram DeepTech Energy Program is poised to put Sarawak and Malaysia on the global map for renewable innovation. Backed by the Sarawak Government under Abang Johari’s bold energy transition vision, Planet QEOS said the project answers his call for Sarawak to lead in clean-energy innovation. Phase 1 of Baram DeepTech will deploy 500 MWac of firm renewable capacity (using ~1.85 GWp of solar PV and multi-GWh batteries) – making it the world’s largest integrated solar-and-storage installation of its kind.

While the Baram DeepTech plant will be the first in the world to integrate multi-economic functionality into a solar power plant’s design — combining energy, agriculture, and community development — its technical architecture follows established International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards to ensure bankability, reliability, and proven performance equal to the best conventional plants. With advanced grid-forming inverters and massive battery reserves, the plant will supply stable, on-demand green power 24/7, matching the reliability of a CCGT (combined cycle gas turbine) power station or hydro dam.

Baram’s Rise: From Frontier to Clean Energy Hub

Nestled in the HDA encompassing Telang Usan and Mulu, Baram spans over 18,000 km² of highlands with some of Malaysia’s best solar irradiance – yet it has long been underserved in infrastructure and economic opportunity.

The Baram DeepTech initiative is changing that narrative. It will be the anchor project of the new Baram SEZ, a designated area poised to attract industrial growth. By harnessing Baram’s untapped solar potential, the program aims to transform this latent promise into lasting socioeconomic progress, turning a once-remote district into Southeast Asia’s next clean energy powerhouse.

With final approvals and a 500 MWac generation license expected soon, Planet QEOS and partners are moving expeditiously toward site mobilization and groundbreaking. Construction will commence in the remote Upper Baram area, bringing infrastructure to long-neglected locales and bridging the urban-rural development gap. Over the next few years, new roads, power lines, and digital connectivity will reach deep into interior Sarawak alongside the solar farms.

“This is a textbook case of vision meeting execution,” said Dino Bidari, Executive Chairman of Planet QEOS. “We owe much to the Premier’s leadership and the efficiency of EPU, MUT, and MEESty in enabling projects that truly balance economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social impact. Baram DeepTech reflects Sarawak’s readiness to turn bold energy policy into real, bankable infrastructure.”