From left: Solarvest corporate strategy manager Eddy Lee Wen Hui, Maybank Sarawak branch manager Lim Jun Chiang, GreenRE marketing manager Juanita Lourdes, Exal Malaysia sales and marketing director Brandon Chua, GreenRE senior general manager Nurfateha Jamaluddin, Padawan Municipal Council chairman Tan Kai, Exal Malaysia MD Albert Ko, Solarvest executive director and group chief strategy officer Leon Liew, Maybank regional director of Sarawak Abang Jamili Abang Julai, Maybank head consumer banking of Sarawak Lam Ko Liang, and Maybank Sarawak head of business performance and productivity Emily Chan at the signing ceremony held on Feb 26 at Exal Group's SÓL Estate development in Batu Kawa, Kuching, Sarawak. (Photo by Exal Malaysia)

KUCHING (Feb 26): Australia-based property developer Exal Group, through its subsidiary Exal Malaysia Sdn Bhd, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Solarvest Holdings Bhd (KL:SLVEST) to install a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at its SÓL Estate development and future property development projects, and GreenRE Sdn Bhd, a green building certification body, to leverage GreenRE’s expertise to get its properties green-certified.

The signing ceremony was held at Exal Group’s SÓL Estate development in Batu Kawa, Kuching, Sarawak.

SÓL Estate is a 31-acre landed development with a gross development value of RM430 million. Upon its expected completion in 2029, the entire development will comprise over 400 units of semidees, terraced houses and townhouses.

Exal Malaysia managing director Albert Ko said the partnership with Solarvest and GreenRE signifies the company’s green journey. “As part of the MOU with GreenRE, it is to ensure that [the properties] we design will be green-certified," Ko said.

He added that the partnership with Solarvest is to ease the adoption of green initiatives among its homebuyers. “We have installed [solar PV panels on the rooftop and EV charging infrastructure] by Solarvest in our show house so that we can demonstrate to customers, because buyers are still asking if [the investment in green technlogy] is good. We partnered with them because they have a proven track record and provide a reliable product.”

Solarvest executive director and group chief strategy officer Leon Liew said: “We look for property developments that can support our goal to [promote] sustainable living. It’s a good partnership and we share the same vision. We are very happy to grow with them in the long term and promote sustainable living in the Sarawak community.”

GreenRE senior general manager Nurfateha Jamaluddin said, “Exal has shown a good example in building sustainable homes. It is the first Sarawak developer that has a GreenRE certification for its development.”

The first phase of SÓL Estate comprises 74 units of semi-detached and terraced units with land areas ranging from 23ft by 85ft to 44ft by 89ft with built-ups of 2,245 to 4,095 sq ft. The selling price of the homes starts from RM928,888. The first phase has been fully sold and will be handed over in June 2025.

The second phase, launched in 2024, comprises 82 terraced houses at a starting price of RM980,000. The homes will have a land area of 43ft by 85ft with built-up areas of 2,835 and 2,925 sq ft. The second phase is 70% booked and is expected to be completed in 2026.

The developer is planning to launch the third phase this year and the fourth phase in 2026, with details of the upcoming phases still under wraps.

Meanwhile, Ko said the developer will roll out concierge services when the first phase is completed. “We are rolling out the concierge service to offer conveniences to the residents. As part of our commitment to the ‘social’ component of ESG (environmental, social, and governance), [we are providing] that convenience to our buyers. [The service] is available by pay-per-use or subscription, where they can order services such as getting people to do their laundry, to clean their house, escort their parents to the market or calling for medical services.”

Meanwhile, Exal Malaysia has acquired another 350 acres of land in Kuching for a masterplan development.