KUALA LUMPUR (June 9): The government has not decided on any tariff increase for 1Malaysia Development Bhd's (1MDB) planned 50MW solar power plant, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili told Parliament today.

For now, Ongkili said the rate for 1MDB's solar power plant was 41 sen per per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

"Until today the government has not made any decision on the tariff rate for 1MDB’s 50MW solar power plant that is to be developed by 1MDB," Ongkili said in his written reply to Petaling Jaya Utara MP and opposition lawmaker Tony Pua.

Earlier, Pua had asked Ongkili to specify the reason for the tariff hike under 1MDB's 50MW solar power plant project to 50 sen per kWh from 41 sen. Pua argued that a smaller plant of 30MW could offer a cheaper rate of 49 sen per kWh.

Pua's queries followed a report in The Edge Financial Daily that the Energy Commission, and Energy, Water and Green Technology Ministry had approved the tariff hike for 1MDB's 50MW solar power plant from 41 sen per kWh to 50 sen.

Pua also asked Ongkili to explain why the new 1MDB concessions were not cancelled although the company was clearly not capable of developing such projects.