A total of 9,759 solar-powered streetlights have been installed along federal roads across Peninsular Malaysia to date, said Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
He said the installations were mainly focused on areas far from the main electricity grid, as well as locations prone to cable theft, vandalism, and frequent road accidents.
“The ministry, through the Road Safety Infrastructure Upgrade Programme, has implemented the installation of streetlights in areas where accidents have occurred or where the risk is high due to poor lighting conditions.
“For high-risk areas such as intersections, sharp bends, bridges, and locations with a record of accidents, the installation will be done on a localized and small scale, ensuring sufficient lighting according to safety needs,” he said.
Ahmad added that solar-powered streetlights are part of a green initiative aligned with sustainable development goals, as they generate electricity from renewable energy sources.
He was responding to a question from Manndzri Nasib (BN–Tenggara) during a parliamentary session, who asked about the Works Ministry’s plans to expand the use of solar streetlights in rural areas, federal roads, traditional villages, and accident-prone zones to reduce long-term electricity costs and support the nation’s renewable energy agenda.
Ahmad said the Public Works Department (JKR) first began installing solar streetlights in 2019 through a pilot project.
“The ministry continues to support the installation of solar-powered streetlights. The technology in the market is maturing, driven by active involvement from industry players and government agencies, taking into account design, technical, and maintenance requirements,” he said.
He added that the effectiveness of solar streetlight installations, especially in accident-prone areas, continues to be monitored by the ministry and JKR, with efforts ongoing to identify new locations that require lighting.
