27 September 2012

Marina Yong attended the 4th Energy Forum hosted by the Malaysian Gas Association (MGA) on 27th September 2012. KETTHA is reforming The Malaysian Electricity Supply Industry (MESI) to ensure the energy supply in the future will be sustainable. However, defining a sustainable energy future should have incorporated a much larger emphasis on smart grid solutions and renewables than was heard at the one day forum, even if it is hosted by a non-renewable fuel association, the MGA. Disappointingly, it seems that coal is still a big part of Malaysia’s energy future.

KETTHA and SEDA are working on the targets for energy efficiency (EE) that will be required when the EE masterplan is released in 2014. Electricity consumption is growing at 3-4% annually. But, the agencies are unable to pin-point a specific number for the energy consumption projection in 2030 which takes into account all the MESI reforms and the energy efficiency targets. So, we are handicapped in determining our sustainable energy future.

In the future, how many new gas and coal power plants can we avoid if we get our MESI reforms and EE targets met and we crank up the renewables quota?