A new centralised biogas facility in the Malaysian state of Penang is turning pig farm waste into renewable energy, offering a long-term solution to one of the region's most persistent environmental challenges.
The Kampung Valdor Centralised Biogas Facility, located in South Seberang Perai, has been operational since March 2024 and currently serves 20 farms housing approximately 30,000 pigs.
The plant was formally launched this month by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who described it as a replicable model for sustainable livestock waste management.
In 2025, the facility processed 120 metric tonnes of pig waste per day and generated up to 0.6 megawatts of electricity under intermittent operation.
At full design capacity, it is expected to produce 1.2 megawatts, with one megawatt exported to the national grid. Over a full year, the plant is designed to handle up to 226,000 metric tonnes of waste and yield approximately 10.5 gigawatt-hours of renewable energy.
The project, a private investment of approximately 25.9 million Malaysian ringgit by Timeless Green Sdn Bhd, has created skilled local employment and is reported to have significantly reduced odours in the surrounding area.
The facility has capacity to expand to accommodate waste from up to 90,000 pigs in future phases.
Penang is home to 113 pig farms with nearly 90,000 pigs statewide, making effective waste management a priority for both environmental and public health reasons.
The Valdor area alone contains 44 farms with more than 42,000 pigs.
Authorities have announced plans to develop a second similar facility in Kampung Selamat, another district with a high concentration of pig farms.
That plant is expected to take one to two years to construct, with an operational target of 2029, pending relevant regulatory approvals.
Letters of intent have also been received from farmers in North Seberang Perai expressing willingness to adopt biogas solutions.
The state government said it would continue working with the Department of Veterinary Services to encourage farm upgrades, including the adoption of closed-farm systems with enhanced biosecurity and environmental controls.
