10 COVER STORY
@ green | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER . 2023
The inclusive benefits of the NETR
SEDA Malaysia believes that the National Energy Transition Roadmap ( NETR ) has the potential to significantly impact the national economy and contribute to efforts in addressing the climate change crisis .
The NETR is rooted in Malaysia ’ s overarching aspirations , charting a course for the energy system aligned with decarbonisation targets . It strikes the right balance between environmental mitigation and the need to bolster net socioeconomic values such as GDP and job creation .
" The NETR ' s Responsible Transition ( RT ) scenario will support Malaysia ’ s pursuit of achieving net zero as early as 2050 . RT scenario represents the best-fit ambition for the nation , considering current technology developments , global trends and local context ,” shared SEDA
Malaysia Chairman Ahmad Zairin Ismail .
“ The NETR ’ s RT aims to accelerate the energy transition with improved initiative across all six levers : energy efficiency ( EE ); renewable energy ( RE ); hydrogen , bioenergy ; green mobility ; and carbon capture , utilisation and storage ( CCUS ). RT ’ s accelerated ambition aims to propel Malaysia ’ s energy shift towards achieving the net zero target and generate meaningful socioeconomic outcomes for the nation through GDP growth , jobs creation and income generation in future-proof green industries .”
“ With the publication of the NETR , SEDA Malaysia envisions a comprehensive and sustainable energy transition for Malaysia . Our hopes are centred on the clarity and direction NETR provides , guiding us toward RE sources and EE for a cleaner and more environmentally responsible energy ecosystem . This transition aligns with global sustainability objectives and positions Malaysia as a forward-thinking nation .”
Additionally , Zairin said the agency anticipated economic benefits , including job creation and local industry stimulation , while reducing consumer energy costs . By setting a reliable foundation for sustainable energy growth in Malaysia , SEDA remains committed to inclusive stakeholder engagement to ensure that the energy transition serves the needs of all parties involved .
“ Our ultimate goal is to create a sustainable , eco-friendly , and economically prosperous energy future for Malaysia through the successful implementation of NETR .”
ing and investment , policy and regulation , human capital and just transition , technology and infrastructure , and governance and implementation ,” Zairin explained .
“ Part 2 focuses on establishing the energy mix , a GHG emissions reduction pathway , selected targets , and initiatives . This phase emphasises strengthening targeted investments , people strategies , international cooperation planning , and policy and regulatory frameworks . Collectively , these efforts aim to cultivate the talent , technology , and infrastructure required to scale and sustain decarbonisation initiatives .
“ In short , the roadmap development provides a structured and phased approach to the new energy transition and allows for a more detailed and strategic planning process towards achieving a net zero target by 2050 .”
NETR ’ S GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The NETR has four guiding principles . Zairin shared that the first principle highlighted the importance of aligning the energy sector based on national aspirations and commitments to sustainable development .
“ The second principle emphasises that the energy transition must be just , inclusive and cost-effective . It acknowledges the challenges for low-income and vulnerable populations ,” Zairin stressed .
He said the NETR aimed to ensure that the benefits and opportunities from the energy transition trickle down to every segment of society , leaving no one behind .
“ The third principle stresses the need for effective governance and a whole-ofnation approach . Collaboration among all stakeholders is crucial to creating a vibrant
Some benefits of the NETR : energy industry ecosystem that supports sustainability and facilitates the transition to a low-carbon economy .
“ The fourth principle highlights the significance of creating high-impact job opportunities and enhancing small and medium enterprises ’ ( SMEs ’) involvement in the ecosystem .”
SEDA MALAYSIA ’ S ROLE IN NETR DEVELOPMENT
As Malaysia strides towards sustainable energy , SEDA Malaysia takes the lead , paving the way for a greener future .
Established in 2011 under the Sustainable Energy Development Authority Act 2011 [ Act 726 ], SEDA operates as a statu- tory body under the Ministry of National Resources , Environment and Climate Change ( NRECC ). Its mandate involves implementing programmes related to sustainable energy , focusing on initiatives to enhance public awareness .
“ SEDA is a member of the project team of the NETR development . We offer our expertise in ensuring NETR ’ s strategies and plans meet the needs of the broader stakeholders . MyRER , developed by SEDA , was also used as a reference in developing the NETR .
“ Together with other agencies , the project team will also be the champions in some of the critical initiatives in NETR , including establishing green building codes for energy-intensive residential and commercial buildings ; establishing solar parks for accelerated deployment of utility-scale solar ; promoting floating solar and agrivoltaics technology ; expanding the virtual aggregation model for rooftop solar and catalysing local demand for bioenergy .
“ SEDA will also champion a modality in one of the NETR ’ s identified flagship catalyst projects and initiatives to showcase our unique approach in supporting Malaysia ’ s energy transition advancement .
“ The flagship project is Biomass Demand Creation , and the modality is called Biomass Clustering . This entails the development of biomass clusters with a centralised plant that utilises aggregated feedstock from multiple neighbouring mills . Biomass clustering is expected to enhance economies of scale and secure a more significant , more reliable feedstock .” – @ Green