Abu Dhabi’s Masdar has signed a power purchase agreement for a 200-megawatt floating solar photovoltaic project at Chereh Dam, Pahang, marking its first project in Malaysia and the largest floating solar plant in Southeast Asia.

The development, secured under Malaysia’s Large-Scale Solar ( LSS ) 5+ programme, is being led by a consortium including Masdar, Citaglobal, and Tiza Global. Once operational, the 950-acre installation will deliver more than 300MWp ( 200MWac ), supplying clean electricity to over 100,000 Malaysian households.

The project carries an estimated value of 850 million ringgit ( US$208 million ) and will be financed through a non-recourse project finance structure, with participation from international lenders.

Masdar achieved the lowest tariff in the floating solar category during the competitive LSS tender, highlighting its operational efficiency and regional competitiveness. The deal aligns closely with Malaysia’s national target of raising renewables to 35% of the power mix by 2030, with floating solar identified as a key driver.

“This milestone project reaffirms Masdar’s expertise in floating solar and strengthens our commitment to Southeast Asia’s energy transition,” says Masdar chief executive officer Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi. “It’s about delivering affordable, secure, clean energy at scale.”

Citaglobal executive chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria adds: “By combining Masdar’s global expertise with Citaglobal’s strong local execution capability and institutional understanding, this collaboration gives us confidence that the Chereh floating solar project will be delivered to the highest international standards, while strengthening Malaysia’s energy security and long-term economic resilience.”

The Chereh Dam project is the first under Masdar’s 10-gigawatt renewable energy roadmap with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority ( Mida ), announced in 2023. Masdar is also advancing feasibility work on a large-scale floating solar installation at the Murum reservoir in Sarawak.

Masdar will bring proven expertise to the table, having recently delivered the 145MW Cirata floating PV plant in West Java, Indonesia, currently the largest operational floating solar facility in the region. That project underscores Masdar’s ability to execute complex, large-scale systems on water, a capability now set to expand into Malaysia.