LONDON – Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has officiated the opening ceremony of the Malaysian-owned Battersea Power Station in Central London, ahead of its public launch tomorrow.
His majesty was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, along with Malaysian High Commissioner Datuk Zakri Jaafar.
Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah’s arrival at Battersea Power Station were received by Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) group chairman Tun Arifin Zakaria, Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Zakri, UK Investment Minister Dominic Johnson, and UK Trade Policy Minister Greg Hands.
The king officiated the opening of Battersea Power Station by symbolically turning the power back on in Turbine Hall A – which had laid dormant for over 40 years and will now house part of the power station’s retail offering.
He then unveiled a plaque commemorating the visit – a permanent reminder of the strong ties between Malaysia and the United Kingdom.
Almost four decades after its closure, the restored Grade II*-listed landmark opens to the public tomorrow.
Once a coal-fired power station, it is now set to become one of London’s most exciting retail and leisure destinations.
Under the custodianship of its shareholders, Sime Darby Property, SP Setia, and the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) since 2012, the Grade II* listed iconic landmark has been restored to its former glory, and the wider area has been transformed into a vibrant community.
In 2019, Malaysia’s leading fund management companies, PNB and EPF, became long-term commercial asset holders securing the future of the landmark for many generations to come.
Zakri said the reopening of Battersea Power Station is a testament to Malaysia’s capability to undertake major development projects in the UK.
“I am confident that we will see more of this endeavour in the future. I congratulate PNB, Sime Darby Property, SP Setia, and EPF for all of their efforts in rehabilitating and redeveloping Battersea Power Station.
“This is an outstanding achievement and represents the close bilateral, economic, and investment ties between Malaysia and the UK,” he said.
Battersea Project Holding Company chairman and senior independent non-executive director of Sime Darby Property, Datuk Jagan Sabapathy, said the consortium has revitalised the London icon through the enduring strength of the Malaysia-UK relationship and the shareholders’ extensive experience.
“Not only has a new destination been created from reviving a disused power station, but a thriving community has already been established since the opening of the first phase of the project in Circus West Village,” he said.
EPF chief executive officer Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the transformation of a coal-fired power station into a holistic residential, retail, and leisure destination that is also capable of supplying sustainable energy marked a very important milestone in London’s property development history.
“As a long-term institutional investor, we look forward to witnessing Battersea Power Station flourish as a sustainable community and business hub,” he said. – Bernama, October 13, 2022
