Work has begun on the 200-megawatt Chereh Dam floating solar plant in Pahang, Malaysia, developed by Masdar, Citaglobal Berhad, and TIZA Global Sdn Bhd. The three companies held a ceremony to mark the start of construction, with their joint venture, Chereh Solar Sdn Bhd, serving as the developer. This ceremony marked the beginning of the project.
Construction on the Chereh Dam floating solar facility in Pahang is set to wrap up by 2028, with the project expected to generate enough power for about 100,000 households. Around 1,500 local jobs will be created during the development and construction phases, benefiting the region’s economy substantially.
Masdar has stated the facility will cover roughly 950 acres, featuring over 300MWp (200MWac) of generating capacity and a total investment exceeding $208 million (MYR 850 million). The company has prior experience designing and constructing floating solar installations.
Masdar has previously completed floating solar projects, such as the 145MW Cirata facility in West Java, Indonesia. Citaglobal offers expertise in infrastructure and energy projects, while TIZA Global specializes in project development and community engagement. Together, they will collaborate to finalize the Chereh project.
On October 27, three international banks provided roughly $141.84 million (MYR 580 million) in financing, denominated in Malaysian ringgit. The funding aligns with future revenue streams, draws global investors to Malaysia’s clean energy sector, and ensures long-term economic benefits for local communities. This capital will advance the project’s timeline.
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In December 2025, Chereh Solar Sdn Bhd finalized a 21-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Malaysia’s national utility. This deal secures long-term sales of the plant’s electricity once operations begin, marking a critical milestone for the initiative.
Malaysia has set a goal to increase renewable energy to 35% of its total electricity capacity by 2030, with floating solar expected to play a major role. Masdar and MIDA established a 10-gigawatt renewable energy plan in 2023, and Chereh will serve as the first project under that strategy, reinforcing the nation’s push for sustainable power sources.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: “Malaysia is a strategically important market for Masdar, with rising electricity demand, strong renewable energy potential, and growing investment in advanced industries and digital infrastructure.”
The partners have pledged to maintain close collaboration with Malaysian officials, local residents, and other stakeholders throughout the project’s lifecycle. Additionally, a formal Site Agreement with Pahang Water & Energy Resources has been secured to facilitate the plant’s development, ensuring smooth execution and success.
