THE Seberang Perai City Council’s (MBSP) building is now using 40% of renewable energy from solar panels.
Its mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud was pleased with the remarkable feat that would ensure the council to achieve its vision to reduce carbon footprint and gear towards smart city.
He said the latest launching of the solar system at MBSP’s covered car park would help to reduce council’s tariff.
“The power purchase agreement between MBSP and Tetuan Pekat Solar Sdn Bhd on Nov 8 will ensure MBSP to enjoy a lower rate, which is less than RM0.36 (current tariff).
“The rate will be fixed for the next 15 years while the council can save RM38,148.30 up to a year, through this initiative.
“Tetuan Pekat Solar Sdn Bhd is an established company and has given a great offer to us.
“We are committed to ensuring Seberang Perai can become a low carbon city by next year,” he told reporters after attending the launching of the event at MBSP headquarters in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam today.
Rozali added that the public would also be benefitting from this power purchase agreement.
“They can get to access the free WiFi service and are free to charge their gadgets when they are at MBSP building,” he said.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, who was present during the launching, was delighted with MBSP’s initiative.
He said it was an important milestone for the council as it was on the right track to realising its aim to go green.
“This is an important achievement, especially for the mainlanders.
“I hope all our government facilities can use solar system in the future. I am happy that MBSP continues to do its best for the people,” he said.
MBSP had previously inked the Supply Agreement for Renewable Energy (SARE) project with Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and GSPARX Sdn Bhd in 2019.
The solar panels had been installed at the MBSP office building, MBSP sports complex in Jalan Betek and the MBSP sports complex at Bertam, Kepala Batas.
In another development, MBSP has come out with an action plan for Seberang Perai, after Penang had entered into Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
Rozali said it includes strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) at the wet markets, hawkers complex, pasar malam, morning market, food truck, recreational parks and stratified buildings.
“We need to be vigilant and maintain our adherence to SOPs. ” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee