Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy Toriq Ibrahim has disclosed that discussions are ongoing with the contractor and the World Bank regarding the removal of solar panels from the highway.
A 5.5 MW solar power system was installed along the highway as part of the Accelerating Sustainable Private Investment in Renewable Energy (ASPIRE) initiative, a project led by the Ministry with support from the World Bank. The project was executed by Thailand's Ansis Co., completed late last year, and has since been operational.
Due to concerns over the safety of highway users and the impact on the scenic view of the bridge area, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to relocate the solar panels currently on the bridge. They will be removed and installed in a different residential area.
The Minister indicated that the process is taking longer than expected because the project was carried out by a private company with World Bank funding, not by the government. However, discussions between the contractor and the World Bank are ongoing.
The total project cost is USD 11 million, and the Ministry of Environment and Energy stated last October that relocating the system would incur an additional cost of USD 11 million.