BY CAMILIA REZALI
The National Energy Awards (NEA) recognises the public and private sectors’ outstanding achievements and best practices in driving the country’s sustainable energy agenda.
NEA is a part of the governments’ effort in promoting Energy Efficiency (EE) and Renewable Energy (RE).
The winners of NEA 2020 were announced on Nov 18, 2020, naming 30 winners and runnerups in various categories. Their (the winners) first-rate achievements then qualified them to represent Malaysia at the virtual Asean Energy Awards (AEA2020) held in November 2020.
Out of 27 Malaysian organisations at the AEA2020, 15 won awards.
The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, said during the opening that NEA would continue to be a catalyst for the adoption and implementation of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy practices.
He also repeated Malaysia’s pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 45 per cent in 2025 and further decrease it by 60 per cent by 2035.
“The electricity supply industry is not only responsible for ensuring that the people have sufficient electricity supply, but the electricity supply industry also plays an important role in reviving the country’s economy which is currently facing great pressure amidst the Covid-19 pandemic,” he highlighted.
The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has set the RE target at 31 per cent in 2025 and 40 per cent of RE out of the total generating capacity, respectively.
For peninsular Malaysia, the RE capacity is expected to reach 8,531MW with 4,474MW comprising solar energy.
Fulfilling these targets may need significant importance placed on the elements of reliability, sustainability and affordability in planning for the nation’s electricity supply and further ensure that the cost of supplying electricity is shared equitably throughout the country.
“The current reserve margin is 38.5 per cent. The percentage is estimated to have an impact on solar development in Malaysia. The integration cost of solar into the electricity supply system is also a factor that has to be considered, as it will impact electricity tariffs.
“We need to develop RE according to the capabilities of our country. The reserve margin rate is expected to reach 52 per cent by the end of 2021,” he added.
Despite the challenges faced by the electricity supply industry in transitioning to a lower carbon pathway, the Malaysian electricity supply industry has provided reliable electricity supply to its customers with affordable tariffs.
Shamsul highlighted: “Malaysia is at fourth place among 190 countries in the Ease of Doing Business index in terms of ease in getting electricity – an index system created by the World Bank.”
Malaysia will continue its pursuit to transit its power sector based on its system readiness, grid capability and people’s affordability supported by advancement in technology to ensure an equitable and smoother transition.
With this, energy efficiency is made a priority. The government has implemented a National Energy Efficiency Plan (NEEAP) 2016-2025, resulting in cumulative electricity savings of eight per cent in 2025 compared to 2014. — @green
