Kota Bharu, 9 April 2023 - Permodalan Nasional
Berhad (PNB), in collaboration with Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari)
today launched its first Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers at Hotel
Perdana Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The chargers consist of two units of
11kW and 22kW alternating current (AC) chargers, and one unit of
60kW direct current (DC) fast charger, equipped with two charging
points.
The chargers are the first for PNB Group and
the first in Kelantan that operates 24 hours, for the convenience
of EV drivers.
Hotel Perdana Kota Bharu residents can
charge their EVs with ease as they enjoy their stay. In addition,
walk-in guests can also conveniently use the EV chargers as they
enjoy the hotel’s facilities, including dining at Cerana
and Jade restaurants while waiting for their vehicles to charge.
In conjunction with the launching, Perdana Kota Bharu will give a
complimentary cup of coffee and croissant to EV users who charge
their vehicle at the hotel. The promotion starts today and lasts
for two months.
PNB has partnered with clean energy
solutions provider Gentari via its wholly owned subsidiary,
Gentari Green Mobility Sdn Bhd, to install a total of 59 units of
EV Chargers at 18 PNB Group properties. The installation is
expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
PNB Chief
Investment Officer, Private and Strategic Investments, Rick Ramli
said during the launching event, “The deployment of EV
chargers will cover the offices, hotels & resorts, golf club
and shopping malls under the PNB Group. Our next deployment will
be in Villea Rompin Resort & Golf in Kuala Rompin, Pahang,
Plaza Pelangi, Pelangi Leisure Mall and Perling Mall in Johor
Bahru, Johor, Menara PNB in Kuala Lumpur and 12 other
properties.”
“This initiative is aligned
with PNB’s Sustainability Framework Commitment #2 to drive
decarbonisation effort in our portfolio and will support the EV
ecosystem under Malaysian Government’s Low Carbon Mobility
Blueprint 2021 – 2030; a commitment to set up 10,000 EV
charging stations nationwide by 2025,” Rick Ramli
elaborated.
Gentari’s Chief Operating Officer for
Green Mobility, Haikal Zubir commented, “We are pleased to
have a like-minded partner in PNB with us on the journey towards
sustainable mobility. This partnership will see us providing
necessary infrastructure at their properties to support the needs
of electric vehicle drivers, starting with Perdana Kota Bharu,
Kelantan. This also signifies the expansion of our charging
infrastructure footprint to the East Coast region that will boost
range confidence of interstate travelers.”
Since
its inception in 1978, PNB has been a trusted custodian of
Malaysian wealth and assets, and holds the responsibility to lead
and facilitate change, to ensure an orderly and just transition
towards a sustainable economy.
PNB launched the
PNB Sustainability Framework on 21 April 2022, which outlines 10
commitments for PNB’s own operations as well as for its
investments under the three pillars of Environment, Social and
Governance (ESG). The framework helps PNB to remain focused in
response to a changing global investment landscape, where PNB aims
to be a net zero enterprise by 2025, with a net zero portfolio by
2050, working together with its investee companies in support of
Malaysia’s net zero carbon emission target.
The
deployment of EV Chargers in PNB Group’s properties is one
of the initiatives under the ‘Environment’ pillar of
the Sustainability Framework, in supporting the transition towards
a green economy.