Founder Energy Secures Subcontract for 29.99MWac Solar Project in Kedah

Project Scope and Responsibilities

Founder Energy Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Founder Group Limited, will serve as a subcontractor for a 29.99MWac solar photovoltaic project. The project is located in Kuala Muda, Kedah, and falls under Malaysia’s Corporate Green Power Programme (CGPP). The subcontract is valued at RM6.05 million, which is approximately USD 1.5 million.

The scope of work for Founder Energy includes procurement, electrical and mechanical installation, testing, and commissioning of the solar facility. These activities will extend up to the interconnection point of the project. Major equipment for the project will be procured directly by the main contractor, and is therefore excluded from Founder Energy's responsibilities.

In addition to the installation and commissioning tasks, Founder Energy is responsible for securing and maintaining all necessary approvals, licenses, clearances, and permits required for both the construction and subsequent operation of the solar facility. The company must also ensure that all work adheres to Prudent Utility Practices and meets the requirements set by Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

India Proposes NPCIL Consulting Subsidiary for Private Nuclear Sector Entry

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has drafted a cabinet note for a new consulting subsidiary of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL). This fully-owned NPCIL unit will support private companies looking to enter India's nuclear sector. Services will include design, engineering, operational and management assistance, and regulatory guidance for building pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) units, which are currently operated by NPCIL.

This initiative aligns with India's goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. The government recently enacted the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025, which opened nuclear energy generation to private entities. The DAE has also released draft rules enabling private companies to apply for licenses to construct, own, operate, and decommission nuclear power plants. The proposed subsidiary will address the need for techno-commercial support for new entrants navigating the regulated sector, leveraging NPCIL's expertise in nuclear power generation.

India to Indigenize SCADA Systems for Power Infrastructure by 2030

The Indian government has instructed the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to create a plan for indigenizing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, with the goal of phasing out imports by 2030. This directive stems from concerns that dependence on foreign technologies for critical infrastructure could lead to supply chain vulnerabilities and national security risks.

SCADA systems are vital for monitoring and controlling power generation, transmission, and distribution. The Ministry of Power announced in December 2025 that SCADA system imports would cease after 2030, initiating efforts for domestic development. A committee, chaired by the Member (Planning) of the CEA, is currently formulating a trajectory for this indigenization.

The CEA highlighted that the rapid evolution of power systems necessitates frequent upgrades to SCADA systems due to hardware and software obsolescence, spare part shortages, and new requirements for visualization, data storage, analytics, and cybersecurity. The reliance on foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) often results in interoperability issues, customization delays, limited flexibility, and dependence on external support, posing risks to energy security.