Silicon Island project gains momentum with land reclamation

Penang’s Chief Minister, Chow Kon Yeow, announced ambitious plans for the Silicon Island project, targeting the reclamation of 400 acres annually.

The initiative, set to rival the historic Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, aims to commence the construction of its first factory by 2026.

Reclamation efforts, initiated in October, have already reclaimed a five-acre area, with plans to escalate dredging activities using larger capacity boats.

Reclamation progress of the Silicon Island

Since October, the Penang government has made significant strides in reclaiming land for the Silicon Island project.

Chow revealed that the initial five-acre area was reclaimed using two boats, each transporting 7,000 cubic metres of sand.

To expedite progress, two additional boats, with a substantial capacity of 20,000 cubic metres each, will join the efforts in the coming year.

He emphasised the importance of these dredging works, setting the stage for reclaiming 400 acres annually.

This acceleration aligns with the government’s vision to have the 2,300-acre Silicon Island ready for development by 2032. The intensified dredging efforts aim to overcome logistical challenges and hasten the project’s timeline.

Key infrastructure and economic projections

Chow outlined crucial milestones for the Silicon Island project, highlighting the significance of infrastructure development.

Foremost among these is the construction of a temporary bridge connecting the Penang International Airport to the island, streamlining access to the construction site.

Currently accessible only by boat, this bridge is pivotal to the overall success of the project.

Confident in Silicon Island’s potential, Chow drew parallels with the transformative impact of the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone.

He stressed the need for Silicon Island to expand industrial land in Bayan Lepas, securing growth and bolstering the competitiveness of Penang’s electrical and electronic manufacturing sector.

The Silicon Island project, comprising the high-technology industrial park, Green Tech Park, and global business services and software hub, is projected to yield a gross domestic product of RM1.1 trillion.

With an investment of RM74.7 billion, the development is expected to create 220,000 employment opportunities, further solidifying Penang’s economic standing.

The reclamation of 2,300 acres is set to conclude by 2032, with an overall development timeline spanning 25 years.

As Sunday marked a pivotal visit to the reclamation site by Penang’s Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and key state officials, the Silicon Island project stands as a testament to Penang’s commitment to innovation and economic advancement.