25/12/2025

PROPERTY THURSDAY | DEC 25, 2025

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Building cooler, greener, more liveable townships

the backbone, energy efficiency as the multiplier Malaysia’s sustainability conversation often centres on renewable energy — especially solar. Solar helps reduce reliance on the grid, but it does not address the root issue: how much energy our cooling systems require. Without efficiency, a township simply replaces one power source with another while consumption remains unchanged. This is why the next leap in sustainable city-building requires transforming how cooling and energy systems are planned, financed, and operated across townships, campuses, hospitals, mixed-use and community hubs, anchored by efficiency-first principles and district cooling as backbone infrastructure. Where district cooling changes the game District cooling addresses this gap at scale. By centralising chilled water production for multiple buildings, it unlocks higher efficiency through load diversity; reduced maximum demand; improved reliability and uptime; long-term lifecycle energy savings and lower carbon intensity across neighbourhoods. When paired with Thermal Energy Storage tank, district cooling becomes even more effective – shifting cooling production to off peak hours and helping townships manage demand more efficiently as Malaysia advances towards a lower carbon future. Malaysia’s township examples: How this comes to life Our partnership with Sunway Square shows how a mixed-use development can progress from isolated cooling assets to an integrated precinct solution. The initial ~7,000 RT system serving offices, retail, a performing arts centre and a university block has

MALAYSIA’S are changing rapidly. In just five decades, our urban population has jumped from 28.4% in 1970 to nearly 80% in 2024, with Greater Kuala Lumpur now home to close to nine million residents. This momentum signals economic progress, but it also raises a critical question: how do we build cities that can stay liveable, affordable, and sustainable as they continue to grow? Air-conditioning is the single largest contributor to electricity usage in most community, with commercial and industrial buildings, accounting for 40–60% of total consumption. Yet many developments still rely on ageing cooling assets or standalone chiller systems that rarely operate efficiently. As temperatures rise and energy demand grows, this approach is increasingly unsustainable. Today, communities expect homes, schools, retail spaces, and public amenities that are comfortable, climate-conscious, and affordable, not as a premium feature, but as the townships

new baseline for modern living.

now expanded by an additional ~3,000 RT to support eight Sunway Education facilities. In Cyberjaya, we operate two mega cooling plants supplying ~22,000 RT to 46 buildings. With ~28% improvement in energy efficiency, Cyberjaya stands out as Malaysia’s first-of-its-kind example on how township-scale cooling enhances reliability, predictability, and sustainability. Townships’ sustainability also depends on clean energy. Gamuda’s nature-focused developments show how renewable energy, supported by our solar partnerships, can enhance liveability, reduce long term affordability, and support Malaysia’s climate commitments. Integration: The decarbonisation & cost savings multiplier The most impactful outcome emerges when district cooling is combined with energy efficiency upgrades and onsite solar PV, supported by a long-term, performance-based O&M contract. This is the model we advocate: efficiency first, renewables second, anchored by district cooling. Together, these deliver lower energy consumption; reduced carbon emissions; predictable utility costs; stronger comfort and reliability and a clear, long-term decarbonisation pathway. Through long-term concessions or PPAs, developers can modernise infrastructure without upfront capex, while ensuring guaranteed performance. Leapfrogging ahead: A call to collaborate Malaysia stands at a pivotal moment. By prioritising district cooling, energy efficiency and solar as core township infrastructure, and aligning ambition with execution, we can set new benchmarks for sustainable urban development. This responsibility extends beyond developers alone. Whether planning a township, operating a campus, managing a shopping district, or designing a mixed-use community, these decisions shape Malaysia’s energy footprint and our collective pathway toward a low carbon future. Sustainable energy infrastructure requires partnership. By collaborating with global energy experts like ENGIE, planners, asset owners, and community leaders can deploy renewable energy, high efficiency systems, and resilient cooling solutions without upfront cost or operational risk. The reward is clear: cooler, greener, climate-ready communities, competitive developments, and neighbourhoods designed to thrive for generations.

The developer’s reality: Cost, Complexity, Credibility Across our engagements with township developers, asset owners, and local players, sustainability ambitions often collide with three realities: rising electricity tariffs and operational costs; limited in-house expertise to deploy efficient, low carbon energy systems and pressure to adopt green solutions without adding complexity, capex risk. The challenge is clear: how do we deliver smarter, greener, and more liveable community spaces without compromising margins, comfort, or long-term reliability? This requires rethinking not just which technologies are used, but how township systems are designed, integrated, and operated as a unified ecosystem. Energy and cooling choices made today will determine long-term performance, asset value, and the overall liveability of our neighbourhood.

Chin Hin, Atlan unveil The Eclipse in Johor Bahru JOHOR BAHRU: Chin Hin Group Property Bhd (CHGP) together with its joint-venture partner Atlan Holdings Bhd unveiled The Eclipse, a modern coastal residence designed to elevate urban living in Stulang, Johor Bahru. Featuring contemporary design, strong connectivity and lifestyle-focused amenities, the development marks the partnership’s continued growth in the southern corridor. Rising on a 4.28-acre site, The Eclipse features two towers ranging from 36 to 58 storeys, housing 1,116 units tailored for practical and modern lifestyles. The architecture draws inspiration from Johor’s coastal setting, with streamlined silhouettes and clean vertical lines that establish a distinct presence along the Straits of Johor. Units range from 570 to 1,161 sq ft, offering 1+1 to 3+1 bedrooms, priced from RM630,000. Located in Stulang with direct access to major routes, The Eclipse offers strong connectivity for residents and cross border commuters. The project sits about 2.8km from the CIQ and is within minutes of the upcoming Bukit Chagar RTS Station, which will link Johor Bahru to Woodlands North in Singapore with an estimated travel time of 15-30 minutes. The Eclipse is developed via a strategic collaboration between CHGP and Atlan. CHGP leads the project with its strength in delivering innovative, lifestyle-focused residential projects, while Atlan contributes its experience in strategic land investment and long-term asset management. The Eclipse rises as a modern coastal residence tailored for today’s urban lifestyles, just minutes from the CIQ and the RTS link.

A smarter path: District cooling as

Chin Hin buys Petaling land for RM560m residential project KUALA LUMPUR: Chin Hin Group Property Bhd has acquired two contiguous parcels of leasehold land in Taman Puncak Jalil, Daerah Petaling, Selangor for a total consideration of RM91 million, strengthening the group’s development pipeline in one of Greater Kuala Lumpur’s most active landed housing corridors. previously approved scheme of semi detached units and apartments under the earlier master plan. The switch to terrace units is expected to deliver stronger sales absorption, reduce construction complexity, and offer a more commercially attractive product mix that complements the nearby developments, positioning the approvals, planning permission is anticipated to commence in May 2026 with project targeted for launch in Q4’26 and completion by end 2029. The acquisition will be funded through a combination of internally generated funds and bank borrowings, with the final demand residential products while expanding our footprint in growth corridors. With a GDV of RM560 million, the Puncak Jalil project will be an important contributor to our development pipeline over the next few years.”

CHGP views the acquisition as a strategic addition to its landbank within Greater KL alongside its ongoing developments such as Quaver Residence, Ayanna Resort Residences, Avantro Residences, Solarvest Suites, Crown Penang, Andalan, Aricia, Dawn KLCC, and Botanica Hills. The group remains focused on boosting its core property development business and delivering sustainable long-term growth through disciplined capital deployment and market-driven product planning.

composition to be determined based on gearing and cash-flow planning. Commenting on the acquisition, property development division group CEO Chang Tze Yoong said: “Landed housing in Greater Kuala Lumpur continues to demonstrate resilient demand, especially among young families and upgraders seeking practical layouts and long term liveability. This acquisition fits our strategy of focusing on high

The acquisition was executed by Chin Hin Property (KL) Sdn Bhd (CHPKL), a wholly owned subsidiary of BKG Development Sdn Bhd, via a Sale and Purchase Agreement with Trident Treasure Sdn Bhd. The lands measure a combined 104,714.99 sqm (around 1,127,142 sq ft). CHGP plans to develop the parcel into a landed residential project comprising 380 units of 3-storey terrace homes (20’×70’), replacing the

Banking & Finance project as a premium-yet-accessible landed offering for discerning upgraders seeking quality living within an established affluent corridor. Based on internal feasibility studies, the project carries an estimated GDV of RM560 million and Gross Development Cost of RM448 million, yielding an anticipated gross profit of approximately RM112 million. Subject to authority

This article is contributed by ENGIE managing director for Malaysia, Wong Yin Kee ( pix ).

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