The World Bank Group (WBG), Permodalan Darul Ta’zim (PDT), the strategic investment arm of the Johor State, and Ditrolic Energy, an integrated energy company, have yesterday signed a collaboration agreement to jointly develop the Southern Johor Renewable Energy Corridor (SJREC), one of the largest renewable energy corridors in the world, a joint press release by the parties state. Located on a 10,000-acre site within the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), the initial phase of SJREC is expected to produce up to four gigawatts peak (GWp) of solar capacity and 5.12 GW hours of energy storage capacity on a 2,000-kilometer-squared hybrid solar and battery energy storage system zone in Johor.
The US$ 6 billion project will generate clean electricity to meet the renewable energy needs of local and multinational corporations, including hyperscale data-center operators, as well as enabling clean electricity transmission to Singapore. It powers the industrial development of Johor with clean electricity while supporting the broader ASEAN Power Grid (APG) initiative by facilitating cross-border electricity trade. The APG initiative is ASEAN’s collective effort to connect the region’s electricity networks and strengthen energy cooperation by 2045.
The collaboration letter, signed yesterday in conjunction with the launch of the Johor Renewable Energy Policy 2030, outlined joint efforts across project development, technical support, and potential financing for the project. The initiative aligns with the ambitions of the Johor Green Development Policy 2030 as well as anchor Johor as the primary renewable energy hub for the APG.
The World Bank is represented by its private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
“As the state agency entrusted to formulate the Johor Green Development Policy 2030, PDT is proud to witness our strategic framework transition into tangible reality today,” said Dato’ Ramlee bin A Rahman, President and Group Chief Executive of Permodalan Darul Ta’zim. “The Southern Johor Renewable Energy Corridor (SJREC) was conceived as the cornerstone of this policy, specifically Strategy 1, to unlock the immense solar potential of the Kota Tinggi and Mersing districts.
“By partnering with global leaders like IFC and Ditrolic Energy, we are operationalizing the SJREC not only to power the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), but to actively facilitate cross-border energy trading. This project confirms Johor’s readiness to serve as a primary renewable energy hub for the ASEAN Power Grid, realizing the vision we set forth for a sustainable, high-growth future.
The project is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the region by creating an estimated 125,000 jobs through the construction, operations, and maintenance of renewable-energy infrastructure, enabling industrial expansion, and attracting high-quality, foreign-direct investment.”
The collaboration follows the recent launch of the ASEAN Power Grid Financing (APGF) initiative, a flagship regional effort to support the APG by mobilizing large-scale financing for cross-border power interconnections across land and on the seabed. APGF is led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the ASEAN Center for Energy, and coordinated by the World Bank Group and the Asian Development Bank.
Tham Chee Aun, Chief Executive Officer of Ditrolic Energy, said the project represents a proud milestone for Johor and Malaysia. “We are proud to partner with the Johor State Government and the largest global development institution focused on the private sector, IFC, in this historic initiative,” he said. “As a Johor-born company that has expanded across Asia and become one of Malaysia’s largest developers, Ditrolic is deeply committed to contributing back to our home state. Our 4GWp solar-plus-storage catalytic development within the SJREC will anchor Johor’s clean energy export potential and provide a foundation for industries seeking renewable, low-cost power in the region.”
“We are delighted to partner with Permodalan Darul Ta’zim and Ditrolic Energy on this innovative project,” said Judith Green, World Bank Group Country Manager for Malaysia. “Not only will this project support the broader sustainable development ambitions of Johor, it will also create jobs, potentially attract foreign direct investment, while facilitating cross-border clean energy trade between two key ASEAN economies, bolstering the broader ASEAN Power Grid initiative.”
The official announcement and agreement exchange were witnessed by Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, the Queen of Malaysia, underscoring royal and governmental support for Johor’s clean energy transformation and cross-border cooperation with Singapore.