SHAH ALAM: SP Setia Bhd (Setia) has broken ground on its 509-acre Setia Fontaines Industrial Park in Bertam. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Located within the 1,691-acre freehold Setia Fontaines township, the industrial park will offer light industrial, medium industrial and commercial lots catering to businesses ranging from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to larger industrial players. The development enjoys direct access to the North-South Expressway and connectivity to Penang Island, Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Jaya and Kulim.

The event also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) between Setia Fontaines and the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) to explore supplying renewable energy to the industrial park through the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS).

“More than an industrial development, it reflects our vision to build a next-generation economic hub with world-class infrastructure for advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure and high-technology industries in the Northern Region. The collaboration with NCIA supports Setia’s commitment to integrating sustainability into its industrial developments while enhancing long-term competitiveness and value creation,” said Setia president and chief executive officer Datuk Zaini Yusoff.

Under the proposed collaboration, Setia Fontaines Industrial Park and its tenants could access green electricity from regional renewable energy developers via the national grid, supporting Malaysia’s low-carbon ambitions and strengthening Penang’s appeal to sustainability-conscious investors.

“Our collaboration with S P Setia positions Setia Fontaines Industrial Park as an anchor green consumer, strengthening demand certainty and project viability. This enhances NCER’s attractiveness as a hub for sustainable industrial growth and supports the attraction of investments requiring low-carbon energy solutions,” said NCIA chief executive Datuk Haris Kader Sultan.

The event also witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between Setia Fontaines and the Penang State Housing Board (LPNPP) for Pangsapuri Pinang Setia, an affordable housing development comprising 640 units targeted for completion in 2029.

Priced at RM42,000 each, the 650 sq ft units will feature three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Residents will also benefit from amenities within the wider Setia Fontaines township, including parks, lakes and community facilities.

The development is expected to house about 30,000 residents by 2041 and is envisioned as an integrated township that combines residential, commercial and industrial components to support long-term socio-economic growth in northern Penang.

At the event alongside Anwar, Chow and Zaini were Penang Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid and Setia senior independent non-executive director Datuk Khairil Anwar Ahmad.