MAY-JUNE , 2023 | @ green

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Malaysian government announces plans to double target renewable energy capacity by 2050 and to enable construction of self-contained renewable energy systems

Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli ( pik ) said on May 3 that the cabinet lifted the renewable energy export prohibition .

Rafizi said the government also agreed to a 70 per cent renewable energy mix by 2050 , requiring an eleven-fold increase in renewable energy capacity from the current capacity .

In late 2021 , Malaysia set a 40 per cent renewable energy mix by 2035 .

Rafizi stated that information on the renewable energy trade system , additional policy frameworks , and incentives would be revealed in the coming months .

In line with its increased targets , the Malaysian government also green-lit the development of self-contained renewable energy systems . This will enable the trade of renewable energy by private sector participants on a “ willing buyer , willing seller basis ”, said Rafizi .

“[ The introduction of ] self-contained systems will see the development of localised [ solar panels ] installed on rooftops , as well as floating-type solar solutions to be installed on old mines , water harvesting bodies and dams ,” said Nirinder Singh Johl , founder and chief executive officer of Malaysian energy trading platform Asia CarbonX Change .

Before the announcement , the national grid operator , Tenaga Nasional , set quotas for renewable energy under the Net Energy Metering scheme .

Malaysia has also long been reliant on fossil fuel and revenue from oil

and gas-related activities , which have accounted for more than 15 per cent of government income over the past five years . But there is a “ coming together and acceptance ” that Malaysia must gradually reduce its dependence on fossil fuels , said Rafizi at the press conference .

He pointed out that among the current administration ’ s first moves was to gradually reform the blanket electricity subsidy for industry users , although he stopped short of commenting on widespread petrol subsidies currently in place .

The development of the renewables sector is now estimated to require investments of up RM637 billion ( US $ 143 billion ), said Rafizi . He said this would include funding needed to develop new renewable energy generation sources , strengthen grid infrastructure , integrate energy stor- age systems and cover the costs of operating the grid .

AN ADVANTAGE FOR SINGAPORE

The lifting of the renewable energy export ban was well-received in Singapore , whose Energy Market Authority has targeted 30 per cent of its energy supply to comprise renewable energy imports by 2035 .

Given the bans on renewable energy exports in place by Indonesia and until yesterday , Malaysia , the island country , has had to import hydropower from further north in Laos and go as far as Australia for solar power , possibly through over 4,000 kilometres of undersea cables .

“ Malaysia ’ s lifting of its renewable export ban is good news for Singapore and its renewable energy targets ,” said Christophe Inglin , the Managing Director at Energetix , a specialist renewable energy installer .

There are inter-country regulatory challenges , a lack of adequate utility infrastructure and market risks to consider . Still , it is a challenge that Asean must rise up to improve its electricity connectivity , he said . – @ Green

PETRONAS and Bursa Malaysia signed a Memorandum of Collaboration to promote environmental , social , and corporate governance ( ESG ) adoption and practice through the Centralised Sustainability Platform ( Platform ). Bursa Malaysia is developing and testing the Platform with the London Stock Exchange Group ( LSEG ) to quantify corporate carbon emissions , and report standardised , shared ESG data .

PETRONAS will join the Platform ’ s Early Adopter Programme ( EAP ) to promote uniform ESG reporting and disclosures and explore supply chain value generation . ESG data transparency and interoperability will encourage Malaysian enterprises to join the platform .

The MOC was signed by Tengku Muhammad Taufik , President and Group Chief Executive Officer , PETRONAS , and Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift , Chief Executive Officer , Bursa Malaysia and witnessed by Wong Chiun Chiek , Director , Bursa Intelligence , and Aadrin Azly , Vice President of Group Technology and Commercialisation .

“ PETRONAS strongly believes that a just and responsible energy transition can only be achieved when stakeholders within and across sectors work together ,” said Tengku Muhammad Taufik .

“ Critically , relationships with forward-thinking institutions like Bursa Malaysia will help the entire OGSE sector embrace and improve ESG compliance for operational improvements .

Tengku Muhammad Taufik

Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift

“ This is more necessary to maintain a licence in a fast-changing energy landscape . PETRONAS is committed to championing good governance and transparency among oil and gas players to become a trusted ESG partner to deliver energy responsibly in a secure , cheap , and sustainable manner .

Muhamad Umar stated : “ I applaud PETRONAS , custodian of Malaysia ’ s natural oil and gas reserves , in raising the bar to promote sustainable energy practises . The collaboration ’ s Centralised Sustainability Platform will aid PETRONAS ’ supply chain decarbonisation . We encourage other industry captains , particularly those with major global supply chain stakes , to tap into this path and lead vertical change .”

PETRONAS will use technology and digital to accelerate ESG adoption and readiness across its supply chain for sustainable operational and commercial excellence . University Teknologi PETRONAS will assist these initiatives through foundational research and intellectual exchanges . – @ Green

SARAWAK achieved a significant milestone recently in its green initiatives with the handover of the Long San Solar Hybrid Station by Shanghai Electric to Sarawak Energy . The completion of this project reaffirms Sarawak ’ s commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions , even in remote areas .

Solar power is an essential form of renewable energy that has the potential to meet the growing demand for electricity in Sarawak while also enhancing its position as an industry leader in producing safe , clean and affordable energy . The transition to greener energy bolsters the state ’ s efforts to achieve a more sustainable energy landscape in Southeast Asia .

The handover ceremony at Pullman Hotel in Kuching was officiated by the Premier of Sarawak , Tan Sri ( Dr ) Abang Zohari Openg .

Chairman of Sarawak Energy , Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi ; Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer , Datu Haji Sharbini Suhaili , alongside Sarawak Energy ’ s Group Executive Committee members , attended the event .

An off-grid diesel power station supplied the domestic households at Long San in Baram with an installed capacity of 345kW . The new solar hybrid station now provides renewable energy to 104 families and 16 other properties , including a church , a clinic , mission houses and a school . It gives the Long San community a more sustainable energy source , supporting the operation of essential services while promoting equitable socio-economic growth .

The exchange of the Long San Solar Hybrid Station handover certificate between Vice President for Shanghai Electric Power Transmission & Distribution Group , Yang Xing Hai - Chairman of Shanghai Electric Malaysia and Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer , Datu Sharbini Suhaili .

Speaking at the event , Zohari highlighted the Sarawak government ’ s efforts in the “ Projek Rakyat ” initiative on Accelerated Rural Electrification Masterplan , which aims to deliver stable , reliable and affordable 24-hour electricity supply to rural communities , ultimately achieving full electrification by 2025 .

“ Launching the facility will contribute to a high standard of living for the Long San community by providing new economic opportunities and greater access to connectivity and engagement with the outside world .

“ We will continue to take steps to close the gap between rural and urban communities , and we will leverage existing initiatives like the Rural Electrification Scheme ( RES ) and Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme ( SARES ) to provide affordable electricity to move closer towards realising this goal ,” he said . – @ Green