Escalating oil prices, global warming, costly floods and the Ukraine war have resulted in supply disruptions the world over and have put renewable energy (RE) in the spotlight — as a way to end the issue of insufficient energy supply.
Likewise, in Malaysia, plans to strengthen the RE sector seem well underway, judging from the recent announcements by the energy and natural resources minister. Three dates were mentioned — 2025, 2030 and 2040 — where the government aims to increase green energy, or RE generation, to 18,000 megawatts (MW) compared with the current 8,700MW.
The first test is the shorter goal where in less than three years, 31 per cent of RE contribution would be through green energy generation initiatives, including the recently launched Large Scale Solar project. These initiatives will determine whether we can progress enough to reach the longer timeframe targets of RE use of 40 per cent by 2035, and eventually fulfil the energy transition plan by 2040.
This all fits with Malaysia's targets under the Paris climate agreement, especially in reducing carbon emissions significantly by 2035. An elaborate plan, but there is just a small window of opportunity given the timeframe of 18 years to achieve the aims of higher RE use. Additionally, by 2033, the purchase agreements of the nine coal power plants, with a total capacity of 7,730MW, will expire.
Replacing traditional sources of energy with RE will not be easy, but adding RE to the grid and gradually increasing its contribution, we should be able to go "green" by 2040. A novel way to reduce carbon emissions would be to encourage the use of solar panels. Reportedly, solar panels have the flexibility to scale back house temperature and generate electricity all-year round.
For example, a solar panel system is said to have the capability of providing the electricity needs of a home with about 80 per cent lower carbon emissions than fossil fuels.
Unfortunately, installing solar panels in a home is not cheap. Based on some studies, to install a 4kWp roof integrated solar system in a two-storey house costs between RM50,000 and RM60,000. The affordability factor is a challenge in the current setting where global energy prices have skyrocketed due to surging energy demand and fuel supply disruptions.
Hence, a significant goal would be to have an affordable energy transition plan for the rakyat. The government may consider this as we focus on the larger target of reducing carbon emissions. Another alternative would be to harness the country's marine renewable energy (MRE) sources, which include wind, wave, current and tidal.
Dr Izyan Munirah Mohd Zaideen of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and EHS marine specialist in the oil and gas sector Captain Mohd Faizal Ramli proposed recently that "sufficient testing grounds must be accessible for marine energy development, from pilot projects to full-scale devices". They also said the growth of MRE was seen as a strategic pillar in reducing reliance on fossil fuel energy and greenhouse gas emissions.
There is certainly no easy way to go green. But an increased push for energy efficiency, RE technology, solar panel use and an affordable pricing structure would expedite a carbon-free future for Malaysia.
After all, renewable energy is no longer a niche fuel, says energy expert and executive director of the International Energy Agency, Dr Fatih Birol.