Operations at Intel Malaysia are harnessing solar energy to help power six buildings across the company’s Kulim and Penang campus.

What’s New: Operations at Intel Malaysia are harnessing solar energy to help power six buildings across the company’s Kulim and Penang campus, thanks to a new 3.2 megawatt (MW) solar installation completed in January. The installation is achieving 4.1 MW in total installed capacity, which is provided by NEFIN, a renewable energy developer. The project is Intel’s largest solar farm outside the U.S. The solar project, which began in 2020, contributes about 15% of Intel’s global, on-site solar photovoltaic electric power capacity.  It will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 3,800 tons.

The solar installation at the Intel chip and assembly test manufacturing facility at Kulim Hi Tech Park in Malaysia is Intel’s largest solar farm outside of the United States. (Credit: Intel Corporation)

“Our continued investments in alternative energy is a key pillar of Intel’s continued commitment to operating our manufacturing facilities with the lowest impact to the environment. The use of renewable power generated on site at Intel Malaysia is a critical part of Intel’s efforts as a responsible corporate citizen to do better by our planet and as part of our RISE 2030 goals of achieving 100% renewable power.”
–Robin Martin, corporate vice president, general manager of Assembly Test Manufacturing, and managing director of Intel Malaysia

Why It Matters: The new solar farm panels at Intel Malaysia cover an area equivalent to 900 car parking spaces and 50,208 square feet on building rooftops. They are expected to generate about 6,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually. Solar sources partially replace the campus’ electricity demand during peak hours. The energy supply from solar sources also helps diversify and introduce renewable energy into the campus energy supply mix, which until now was predominantly powered by natural gas and coal sources.

In line with the World Earth Day theme of “Restore Our Earth,” Intel reaffirms its commitment to conserving energy and expanding on its renewable energy projects and energy-efficient technologies to help combat climate change. Intel has already deployed several solar thermal systems to supply hot water to all its campuses in Malaysia, and will continue the expansion of clean and green energy sources to reduce emissions.