KUALA LUMPUR: Solarvest Holdings Bhd has been appointed by Nefin Group as the engineering procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) solutions provider for a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) project for hypermarket chain Lotus's Malaysia.

       The clean energy specialist said the contract involves 12 stores and one fresh distribution centre for Lotus's Malaysia with an estimated cumulative capacity of 7.98MWp.

       It said the commercial operation date of the project is July 31, 2022.

       In 2021, Solarvest was engaged by NE Suria Satu Sdn Bhd (NESS), a joint-venture company of Petronas and Nefin Group to complete the first phase of the project where it installed solar PV panels at 15 hypermarkets across Peninsular Malaysia.

       With the new addition, Lotus’s Malaysia will have a total of 27 solar-powered outlets.

       "The repeat contract is a testament to both our quality workmanship and ability to deliver innovative solutions in the solar PV EPCC space.

       "As Malaysia work towards its carbon neutral goal by 2050, we continue to expect conducive policies towards renewable energy to get as many parties involved, as quickly as possible," said Solarvest executive director and group CEO Davis Chong Chun Shiong in a statement.

       According to Solarvest, solar energy is a cheaper solution for hypermarkets as it protects them against electricity rate hikes.

       Further, the installation of a 7.98MWp solar PV system could effectively offset about 6,633 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, which is equivalent to planting about 301,000 trees, it added.