THE Lam Research International Sdn Bhd, a global supplier of wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry, has launched its solar power system today at its manufacturing plant in Batu Kawan.
The solar energy project was undertaken by Lam to further propel its initiative concerning sustainability in the semiconductor industry.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was the chief guest at the launching ceremony, lauded Lam for its green initiative as it complements the state government’s efforts for a sustainable future.
“Lam’s investment in the solar power system will bring Penang a step closer to becoming a green manufacturing hub that we can all be proud of.
“We hope that this will serve as a yardstick for other industry players to take similar approaches which will elevate the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) adoption in the state,” Chow said during his speech at the ceremony.
Chow added that Lam’s efforts in sustainability not only demonstrate its outstanding corporate citizenship but also its long-term commitment to contributing to the state’s environmental well-being.
Apart from that, Chow said, InvestPenang being the state investment promotion agency, is also placing a huge emphasis on sustainability.
“Other than providing on-the-ground facilitation, InvestPenang will work together with industry players like Lam Research to create greater awareness about the importance of ESG among the small and medium enterprises in Penang,” he said.
Chow also shared that the state government through the Penang Green Council (PGC) had launched the Penang Green Agenda2030 (PGA2030).
“Under the PGA2030, the state has achieved several milestones.
“Among them were the setting up of Penang’s first Disaster Unit Management for disaster mitigation and the formation of Penang Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Taskforce (PREET) to look into the application of energy efficiency projects in the state,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lam Research corporate vice-president (manufacturing) Mike Snell said, once the new solar power system is fully operational, it is expected to yield over 3,000 MWh of energy yearly.
“This is equivalent to removing almost 2,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the environment every year.
“Currently, we have 4,000 panels installed and we are looking to up this number to over 5,700 by the end of this year,” he added.
Snell also said Lam aimed at achieving its ESG goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030 and net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
Lam Research managing director and general manager Soon Kuek said the company’s various efforts to reduce water and energy consumption had managed to reduce water consumption by 3,000 cubic meters since August 2021.
“We are happy to partner with the Penang Green Council and the Malaysian Nature Society in our journey towards a more sustainable future,” Kuek said.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siew Chia En
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi