KUALA LUMPUR: Exploration of new renewable energy (RE) through solar parks, as well as electricity supply for new data centres and generation of green hydrogen are among measures that are in the works as Malaysia accelerates the energy transition.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government had also agreed for new procurement options of green electricity supply through the Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) concept.
He said it would start in the fourth quarter of 2022, with a quota of 600MW. He said some 14,000 jobs, with new investment value of RM6 billion, were expected to be generated to support the development of the country's renewable energy industry.
The revised electricity supply system would be implemented through the approval and re-distribution of renewable energy quota of 1,200MW for solar.
"The new quota will be distributed for programme implementation under the existing mechanism, including New Enhanced Dispatch Arrangement (NEDA) and installation of solar panels on building roofs," Ismail Sabri said at the launch of the 5th International Sustainable Energy Summit (ISES) here today.
Themed Empowering Energy Transition, the summit was timely as the global community was actively discussing measures to reduce carbon footprint by undergoing energy transition, he said.
Ismail Sabri said other government initiatives include the Green Energy Island projects in Pulau Redang and Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu to generate consistent electricity supply and the development of a regulatory framework for the national Renewable Energy Certificate (REC).
He said consumers on both islands would receive 24-hour electricity by 2025, while reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions by 70 per cent.
He said the REC would help convince corporate companies to offset their carbon footprint from fossil fuel power generation.
"(The government will) establish the legal framework for the monitoring of infrastructure development of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to protect public safety.
"EV infrastructure development guidelines under the Electricity Supply Act 1990 will be enforced in the fourth quarter of 2022."
Ismail Sabri said Tenaga Nasional Bhd, in cooperation with Syarikat MySuri Biz Technologies Sdn Bhd, will provide 1,000 EV taxis in support of the country's decarbonation effort.
On the ISES, the prime minister said the summit would provide opportunities to policy-makers, industry players and academicians in the sustainable energy sector to discuss, and to understand strategies and best practices related to energy transition from around the world.
"I hope that the policies, best practices and initiatives that were proven successful can be applied, so that Malaysia can also contribute in addressing climate change at the international level.
"I was made to understand that increasing electricity supply generated from renewable energy and the efficient and prudent use of energies are two key aspects in tackling climate change."
He said the two aspects for sustainable energy developments aspects was a step forward for decarbonisation that had dominated and charted the direction of the world's geopolitical, economy and investment spheres.
Hence, Ismail Sabri said he had announced the country's aspiration to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050 when tabling the 12th Malaysia Plan.
"This shows Malaysia's commitment in joining the global community in realising goals to address climate change, even though we contribute less than 0.7 per cent of the global GHG emissions."
He said the current global trend was to be aggressive in reducing carbon footprint, especially those involving development as well as putting in investments in electricity generated from sustainable resources.
He also said there was an increase in investments and demand for environmental-friendly electricity or green electricity. These things would lead to economic opportunities and will attract even more investments for Malaysia's RE industry players.
The two-day conference was organised by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia in collaboration with the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry.