POWERING SUSTAINABILITY: HEKTAR REIT & SAMAIDEN SIGNED LANDMARK SOLAR DEAL

• Expected savings from electricity consumption of 125,321.7MWh across five (5) shopping centres over 20 years

• Zero Capex Model – Risk-free, zero up-front capital and immediate cost savings 

• Advancing sustainability goals while optimising financial objectives

Kuala Lumpur, 6 May 2025 – Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust (“Hektar REIT”), Malaysia’s pioneering REIT predominantly retail assets, is proud to unveil a landmark sustainability initiative through a solar energy partnership with Samaiden Group Berhad (“Samaiden”), a renowned renewable energy solutions provider. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Hektar REIT and Samaiden commitment to sustainability, aligning with Malaysia’s renewable energy transition and long-term carbon reduction targets.

From L-R: Pn. Aldela Puspa Nordin, Chief Executive Officer of Hektar Property Services Sdn Bhd; Pn. Sabrina Halim, Chief Operating Officer, En. Zainal Iskandar Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of Hektar Asset Management Sdn Bhd; Datuk Ir Chow Pui Hee, Group Managing Director, Mr. Fong Yeng Foon, Executive Director and Dr. Tee Wu Shun, Chief Strategy Officer of Samaiden Group Berhad.

The partnership will see solar photovoltaic (“PV”) systems installed across five Hektar REIT’s shopping centres under a zero upfront capital model—an innovative strategy that aligns profitability with environmentally conscious action. Samaiden will lead the end-to-end execution—from design and installation to operation and maintenance—while Hektar REIT will benefit from a fixed clean energy supply rate. This structure helps mitigate electricity price volatility and contributing to financial stability through predictable energy costs. The initiative is projected to generate long-term energy cost savings of approximately RM41.3 million over the partnership period while avoiding an estimated 98,640 tonnes of carbon emissions—equivalent to removing thousands of vehicles from the road or planting millions of trees. 

Zainal Iskandar Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of Hektar Asset Management Sdn. Bhd., said, "This partnership with Samaiden marks a pivotal step in our sustainability journey. It is a cornerstone of our energy management strategy, marking a significant leap towards clean energy adoption. By integrating rooftop solar PV systems across our malls, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint, but also increasing energy efficiency and lowering the total electricity consumption — potentially by up to 15% annually compared to the previous year. This is a strategic move that supports national climate commitments while delivering tangible returns to our unitholders, tenants, and communities.”

He further adds, “Our recently acquired property, Kolej Yayasan Saad Melaka has already implemented its own on-site solar project, and the same initiative will be applied to our future acquisitions. This initiative is a clear reflection of our triple bottom line commitment — protecting the planet, delivering sustained profit, and supporting people through climate-conscious practices. More than that, it reinforces Hektar REIT’s position at the forefront of ESG-led innovation in Malaysia’s real estate sector. We hope what we do will inspire other’s to step forward — because being true to our tagline “It’s Our Place”, we aspire to lead boldly, act responsibly, and power a greener, more inclusive future for the community.”

By incorporating solar energy into its operations, both Hektar REIT and Samaiden is actively supporting Malaysia’s renewable energy targets and contributing to the nation’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This transition will reduce dependency on conventional energy sources, resulting in a notable decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. It also sets a new benchmark for sustainable real estate practices in Malaysia, inspiring other property developers and asset managers to adopt similar green energy solutions.

Datuk Ir. Chow Pui Hee, Group Managing Director of Samaiden Group Berhad, added, "We are proud to collaborate with Hektar REIT on this milestone project, which aligns with our mission to accelerate Malaysia’s clean energy transition. Our zero-capex solar program provides businesses with the opportunity to integrate sustainable energy solutions without financial barriers, allowing them to focus on operational savings and long-term sustainability gains.”

“As one of Malaysia’s leading renewable energy providers, Samaiden is committed to delivering innovative solar solutions that support carbon reduction and enhance energy resilience. By partnering with forward-thinking industry players like Hektar REIT, we hope to drive greater adoption of solar energy in Malaysia’s commercial and retail sectors."

Hektar REIT remains dedicated to exploring innovative, energy-efficient solutions that enhance its portfolio’s sustainability and financial resilience. This collaboration with Samaiden supports Hektar REIT’s commitment to ESG leadership, paving the way for a more sustainable and environmentally responsible real estate industry.