Johor has taken a major step toward becoming a leading clean energy hub with the launch of the Southern Johor Renewable Energy Corridor (SJREC), a large-scale solar and battery storage initiative covering 2,000 square kilometres. The World Bank Group’s IFC, Johor’s strategic investment arm Permodalan Darul Ta’zim (PDT), and Ditrolic Energy have signed a collaboration agreement to jointly develop this multibillion-dollar project. The partnership supports Johor’s Renewable Energy Policy 2030 and aligns with the Johor Green Development Policy, reinforcing the state’s shift toward sustainable, low-carbon growth.
As part of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone masterplan, the first phase of the SJREC will feature up to 4GWp of solar capacity and over 5GWh of energy storage on a 10,000-acre site. With an estimated investment of $6 billion, the project will supply clean power to growing industries, manufacturers, and data centres while enabling renewable electricity exports to Singapore. This strategic integration supports the ASEAN Power Grid, which aims to strengthen regional energy connectivity by 2045.
Johor officials highlighted the project as a cornerstone of the state’s green agenda, particularly for unlocking solar potential in Kota Tinggi and Mersing. The initiative is expected to generate around 125,000 jobs across construction, operations, and maintenance, drawing new industrial investments and expanding economic opportunities. Ditrolic Energy emphasized its commitment to developing Johor’s clean-energy capacity, positioning the region as a competitive hub for renewable power users.
The collaboration complements the ASEAN Power Grid Financing initiative, which aims to mobilize large-scale financing for regional power interconnections. The World Bank Group noted that the SJREC will strengthen Johor’s sustainable development, support foreign investment, and deepen cross-border energy cooperation with Singapore. The agreement signing, witnessed by the Queen of Malaysia, underscores strong national and state-level support for Johor’s clean-energy transformation.
