Launch of ZEB Demonstration Project in Cyberjaya, Malaysia | press release

In Malaysia, while decarbonizing the building sector is an important policy issue, retrofitting existing buildings to become ZEBs^*1 has not yet been widely adopted. While major existing buildings have high potential for energy conservation, constraints such as retrofit conditions, costs, and the lack of precedent remains a barrier to wider adoption. Against this background, NEDO, SEDA^*2, and 4　Japanese companies—Pacific Consultants, AGC, Mitsubishi Electric, and Azbil—will launch a demonstration project^*3 for Malaysia’s first retrofit “Nearly ZEB” at SEDA’s headquarters building (21 years old, total floor area approximately 5,000m²) in Cyberjaya^*4 to promote the ZEB conversion of existing buildings in Malaysia and establish a pioneering model case for expansion to the ASEAN region.

(1) Demonstration method

In this project, in adherence with an international standard for methodology for achieving non-residential ZEBs ISO/TS 23764 guidelines, high-performance building materials will be introduced to enhance thermal insulation and airtightness of the building envelope, along with energy-saving and high-efficiency equipment and systems. During operation, energy usage visualization via building energy management system (BEMS) and equipment operation optimization will significantly reduce the building’s overall energy consumption. In addition, renewable energy sources, such as building-integrated photovoltaic panels (BIPV), will be combined to enhance the building’s energy self-sufficiency level. Through these measures, the project aims to achieve “Nearly ZEB,” reducing primary energy consumption^*5 by 75% or more, while also verifying the effectiveness of the ISO/TS 23764-based methodology as a decarbonization model for retrofitting existing buildings.

As Malaysia’s lead agency in promoting sustainable energy adoption, SEDA will play a pivotal role in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and promotion of this project in Malaysia.

4 Japanese companies will conduct the following initiatives in Malaysia as pilot examples demonstrating Japanese energy-saving technologies, in collaboration with NEDO.

• PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD.

  • Improvement of roof and wall insulation and airtightness
  • Installation of timer-controlled automated blinds to reduce solar heat gain
  • Installation of high-efficiency LED lighting with sensor-driven operational optimization
  • Feedback-driven HVAC operational adjustments
  • Installation of roof-mounted photovoltaic panels

• AGC Inc.

  • Improvement of building envelope insulation and solar heat shielding performance using high-performance low-E glass
  • Introduction of BIPV panels

• Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

  • Introduction of a high-efficiency VRV system with sensor-based air conditioning control for higher efficiency and operational optimization
  • Expanded room temperature tolerance and appropriate control of outdoor air volume using a latent and sensible heat separation air-conditioning system

• Azbil Corporation

  • Introduction of BEMS for energy consumption visualization and analysis, with findings reflected in optimal equipment operation

Through this project, data obtained from ZEB retrofitting will be continuously accumulated and analyzed to verify the effectiveness of each technology.

NEDO and SEDA consider this retrofitted ZEB as a model case and aim for this model to spread not only within Malaysia but throughout ASEAN countries. This will contribute to measures against global warming and lead to the development of energy and environment-related industries.

*1 ZEB (zero energy building)

A building with extremely high energy efficiency performance based on ISO/TS 23764

*2 SEDA

Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia, a government agency that promotes sustainable energy development and deployment in Malaysia

*3 Demonstration project

• Project names: International Demonstration Project of Japanese Technologies Contributing to Decarbonization and Energy Transition/Demonstration Project for ZEB to Achieve Carbon Neutrality in the Building Sector
• Project period: FY2025–FY2028
• Overview of the International Demonstration Project on Japan’s Technologies for Decarbonization and Energy Transition: https://www.nedo.go.jp/english/activities/activities_AT1_00175.html

*4 Cyberjaya

A national smart city development area designated under the National Low Carbon Smart City Master Plan 2021-2050

*5 Primary energy consumption

This refers to the value obtained by converting the energy consumption of systems such as heating and cooling, ventilation, hot water supply, and lighting into heat units

(Contact for inquiries about the content of this news release)

NEDO Frontier Department, Decarbonization & Energy Conservation Unit,

email: shouene[*]nedo.go.jp

Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia,

Technical Development and Facilitation (TECH) Division

TEL: +60(0)3-8870 5800

email: enquiry[*]seda.gov.my

Please replace the [*] in the above email address with @