Minister of Transport, YB Loke Siew Fook launched the Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd’s (ERL) Renewable Energy Programme on 6th April 2023. The programme is one of the Sustainability Initiatives undertaken by ERL to promote public transport usage, environmental protection and conservation in line with the National Transport Policy 2019-2030.

The first phase of this project involves the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of Bandar Tasik Selatan and Salak Tinggi Station, as well as at the ERL Depot in Salak Tinggi. The solar energy systems at Bandar Tasik Selatan Station and Salak Tinggi Station are fully functioning and were soft launched on 17th November last year and 23rd March this year, respectively.

In his speech, Loke commended ERL on taking the initiative to harvest solar energy for direct usage at its premise. “By harvesting solar energy for direct usage at its premises, they reduce dependency on electricity generated from TNB power plants. ERL is an excellent example to other rail operators and companies that what is good for business can also be good for the environment,” he said.

With this project implementation, ERL is thought to be the first rail and public transport operator in Malaysia to harvest solar energy for direct usage at its premises.

Loke officially initialised the solar energy system in the Main Distribution Room at the ERL Depot. He also inspected the solar panel installation on the rooftop above the Depot. Also present at the launch were YBhg. Datuk Azlan Shah bin Al Bakri, Director General of Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), Mr Lawrence Hee Kang Yow, Director of Projects, YTL Power International Berhad and Puan Noormah Mohd Noor, Chief Executive Officer of Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd.

Noormah said, “As we mark our 21st Anniversary this month, we will strive to bring more innovation to our services and operations in a sustainable business model. Our journey towards greater usage of renewal energy has just begun. I would like to express our gratitude to our partners, namely YTL Power International and Tenaga Nasional Berhad for collaborating with us on our green journey.”