@ green | September-October , 2022

The transition to sustainable energy is the key to the country ’ s carbon neutrality

BY FATIHAH MANAF

Dato ’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob , during the opening ceremony of the 5th International Sustainable Energy

Summit ( ISES ) 2022 , urged all relevant stakeholders to use Malaysia ’ s competitive advantages to stimulate the growth and development of the sustainable energy industry in supporting the country ’ s aspiration toward carbon neutrality in 2050 .

Ismail stated that the focus on sustainable energy development would attract green and high-valued investments to Malaysia , in line with the current needs of the global community .

The organisation of ISES 2022 , according to him , coincides with the recent global developments , which are rapidly discussing energy transition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the country ’ s commitment to becoming a carbon-neutral nation by 2050 .

“ The organisation of the summit with the theme ‘ Empowering Energy Transition ’ is timely as the global community is actively discussing the energy transition efforts that need to be adopted and implemented by all countries so that they can do the shift towards a sustainable and low-carbon energy system , without affecting the three important aspects of the energy trilemma ,” said Ismail , adding that ISES 2022 would open an opportunity for policymakers and industry players to discuss the best energy practices .

Strengthening the energy transition

According to the World Energy Transitions Outlook 2050 report , sustainable electrification and energy efficiency practices are two main enablers to maintaining global warming limits at 1.5 degrees Celsius . Based on the report , Ismail further clarified that increasing the electricity generation from renewable energy ( RE ) sources and using energy efficiently are crucial in dealing with climate change issues .

“ Therefore , Malaysia needs to take strategic steps in both aspects to ensure that the national interests , trade and sovereignty are secured . Aware of the changing geopolitical and trade landscape , I announced the country ’ s aspiration to achieve the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions by 2050 in the 12th Malaysia Plan ( 12MP ) last year .

“ This commitment shows Malaysia ’ s determination to join the rest of the world in realising the goal of tackling climate change , even though Malaysia only contributes less than 0.7 per cent of the world ’ s total GHG ,” he shared .

Ismail said the country ’ s commitment and aspiration towards a carbon-neutral country was also an optimistic vision and in line with the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia to create a prosperous , inclusive and sustainable Malaysia , besides making the local sustainable energy industry more competitive . New initiatives in sustainable energy development

In his opening speech at ISES 2022 , Ismail also announced several new programmes and initiatives in the country ’ s electricity supply system to support energy transition efforts , namely : i ) The approval of the allocation and redistribution of the RE quota of 1,200 MW for solar under the following programmes : a . Existing mechanisms include New Enhanced Dispatch Arrangement ( NEDA ) and the solar installation on roofs of buildings ; b . Identify and explore new RE programmes such as the development of solar parks , the supply of green electricity for the use of new data centres as well as the generation of green hydrogen ; and c . `the implementation of a new option for the procurement of green electricity supply to corporate companies through the Virtual Power Purchase Agreement ( VPPA ), from the fourth quarter of 2022 , with a 600MW quota offer . ii ) Implement the pilot initiative for the development of Green Energy Island in Redang Island and Perhentian Island , Terengganu , with an estimated cost of RM200 million under the Incentive-Based Regulation ( IBR ) mechanism This pilot project will be implemented by Tenaga Nasional Berhad ( TNB ) and will upgrade the electricity supply system in an integrated manner to provide a consistent , affordable and low-carbon electricity supply in these two leading resort islands ; iii ) Develop a framework - Renewable Energy Certificate ( REC ) with clear and orderly governance and regulation to ensure that RECs produced in the country are credible , transparent and high in value ; iv ) Establish a legal framework to regulate the safety of electric vehicle ( EV ) charging infrastructure development by providing EV Infrastructure Development Guidelines under the Electricity Supply Act 1990 [ Act 447 ], which will be enforced in the fourth quarter of 2022 . “ I was informed that in response to the government ’ s call to increase EV use , TNB would sign a partnership with MySuri Biz Technologies Sdn Bhd , a 100 per cent Bumiputera-owned company , to provide 1,000 units of electric taxi services in the country . I hope such initiatives , especially those led by GLCs , will increase ,” said Ismail when officiating the international summit on Aug 29 , 2022 , at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre . – @ Green