Application of Melaka World Solar Valley (MWSV) A. Profile of the Initiative Geographic Region Asia-Pacific Country/Region Malaysia Name of City/Local Authority Alor Gajah Municipal Council Organization Government Title, Name and Position of Person(s) Leading the Initiative Basic City Data Population size: 198,400 Population Growth Rate(%)2.00 Surface Area (sq.km): 1664.000 Population Density (people/sq.km): 119.230 GDP Per Capita (U.S.$): 46015.000 GINI Index: 0.43 URL/Webpage of Your City: URL/Webpage of Your Initiative: Main source of prosperity (e.g. industry, trade, tourism, creative industry, etc.): Industry, tourism & agriculture B. Title and Abstract For a large integrated initiative, please consider submitting up to three initiatives under the same title. For example, you may wish to submit under “Low-Carbon Urban Development for My City” an initiative on public transport, an initiative on energy efficiency in buildings, and an initiative on use of renewable energy. Title or Tagline of the Initiative Melaka World Solar Valley (MWSV) Sub-title Start date of the initiative 2011-01-01 Tentative End Date of the Initiative (if 2025-12-31 not yet completed) Social Economic Thematic Areas Environmental Technology Abstract/Short description of the innovative initiative being submitted for Award.(150 words max) Melaka World Solar Valley (MWSV) is an area designated for the purpose of the development of Malaysia’s first solar valley, with an area of 7,248.43 hectares. An area planned as Planning Block 4 Melaka Pindah – Rembia in the Alor Gajah Local Plan 2020. “Centre of Solar Energy Technology In Malaysia” The project is aimed at the creation of a sustainable urban systems in the Alor Gajah Municipal C. Background Information Describe the legislative or policy framework under which the initiative is taking place, for example, a public policy document at the central or local government level, a policy statement, a covenant, a compact or internationally recognized agreement including, for example, the Sustainable Development Goals, and/or the New Urban Agenda Policies with regard to the application of solar energy technology have been drafted and documented in the draft Melaka World Solar Valley Special Area Plan. It is in-line with the state’s intention to be the leading force of green technology in Malaysia, which shows the emphasize on the sustainability agenda in the state administration. In addition, Alor Gajah also refering to Urban Environmental Accords (UEA) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), especially Goal #11 as main reference for future action. 6 Goals Green City Action Plan (GCAP) Main Goal SDGs #11 D. Summary of the Origins of the Initiative Describe how the initiative came about and what challenges or issues of sustainable development it is meant to address using the following lead questions as your guide. (350 words max) 1. Describe briefly the reason(s) for undertaking the initiative including social, economic, political or cultural challenge(s) or issues confronting the city/region/community. Include where relevant number of people, enterprises or institutions affected. From the project, the Council has been exposed with the following areas: a. Understanding the evolution of the world “green” investment and assess demand both nationally and locally; b. Understanding the Government's fiscal policy to encourage private sector investment; c. Assessing challenges in green investments and strategies to overcome them; d. Emphasize the opportunities and investment strategies in various green industries; e. Reviewing the decisions and strategies of capital resources; f. How to maximize return on investment. The Council has also identified challenges in the implementation of green technology development components as follow : a. Land acquisition for specific green technology project components purpose; b. Funding for specific project components; c. Commitment of private sector (industry players/property developers/commercial entities); d. Procedures and bureaucracy in the implementation of Feed-In Tariff; e. General nature of green technology policies; 2. Describe the goals of the initiative in terms of desired change or outcome and timeframe for achieving the change or outcome (for example, change in policy, strategy, business model, technology, means of implementation, financing arrangements, human development and empowerment, measuring and evaluating progress and impact, etc.). The project goals and objectives as follow: a. To coordinate with government agencies and commercial entities in the implementation of solar energy technology projects; b. To promote and execute policies that conforms with sustainable development practices and green technology application; c. To promote the development of green technology industry as catalyst for economic sustainability; d. To educate and create awareness amongst the community on sustainable energy; e. To develop and upgrade green technology-based infrastructure and utilities in line with the existing and future land use planning; f. To achieve targets of sustainability based on sustainable development indicators. 3. Describe whether the innovation involves any partnership (public-public, public-private, public- community, etc.) and if yes, who is or was the leading partner(s), the role they each played and whether other parties have benefited or are benefiting from your innovation and how? Partnership and collaboration amongst the local stakeholder like Melaka Economy Planning Unit, Melaka Green Technology Corporation (MGTC), Melaka Foundation, Melaka State Progress Corporation, Alor Gajah Land Office and Melaka PlanMalaysia (Town Planner). Alor Gajah Municipal Council was the key agency to manage and lead this project. Others agencies got the benefits at the same time especially private sector such as Sunpower Sdn. Bhd, the solar farm and others. 4. Describe the resources used for implementing the initiative, including funding/financing strategy or arrangements and any significant contributions that are not in cash, for example, in human, technical or managerial resources. The whole initiative involves many projects and processes which include funding from government and private sector. Based on the initiative and projects that has been planned and completed in Alor Gajah, the federal government has agreed to fund approximately RM300,000 to prepare a special area plan for the implementation of additional green technology project components with estimated total cost of RM 1,586,290.962.50 in three phases of development. E. Summary of the Innovative Aspect(s) of the Initiative Describe the innovation for the initiative using the following lead questions as a guide. (350 words max) 1. Describe whether the initiative should be considered evolutionary or revolutionary. Evolutionary would imply that innovation evolved over time based on lessons learned from experience and that the changes or outcomes are cumulative. Revolutionary would imply something quite new or something that has been borrowed from elsewhere but never been tried before in the sector or context in question and therefore bears a certain degree of risk. If it’s borrowed from elsewhere, describe what the linkage with the other preceding experiences is. This project was revolutionary technology from the good example in the other countries. This project was the first ever in Malaysia to have the special area for solar innovation. The key factors in the proposal of MWSV: a) Availability of Renewable energy technology b) Support for the industry c) Compliments other sustainable development approaches in urban planning especially in ensuring a sustainable urban system in an existing or new urban areas. d) MWSV is also planned to serve as a catalyst in renewable energy technology application in an urban scale context in Malaysia. The Good Example 2. Describe where the innovation is being applied, for example, in policy or strategy; planning, design and implementation; business model or financing arrangement; tools and technology; governance and administration; etc Development components and policies are based on the following aspects : a) Public awareness on sustainable practices, sustainable development and green technology; b) Sustainable development approaches and green technology application guidelines in new development plans; c) Research, development, innovation and commercialization of solar energy technology; d) Green technology industry as development catalyst; e) “Green” management for existing development f) Development of green technology-based infrastructure and utilities; g) Sustainable development indicators. All criteria above include in the planning appication by developer and consultant during the submisson to local authority. 3. Describe whether there was or are any obstacles or resistance to the innovation and if so, how were/are they being overcome. Challenges in the implementation innovation in MWSV as below: a) Land acquisition for specific MWSV components purpose; There are many individual land owner and it’s hard to find them to have discussion and more on. b) Funding for specific MWSV components. This project divided into 3 phases as below: i. First Phase Development Cost (2013-2015) = RM 477,212,125.00 ii. Second Phase Development Cost (2016-2020) = RM 667,437,837.50 iii. Third Phase Development Cost (2021-2025) = RM 441,641,000.00 This project need huge funding from federal and state government also contribution from private sectors. c) Commitment of property developers; Developers