Malaysia Seeking More Solar Power

According to a recent report, the Malaysian state of Kedah recently announced that it is inviting investors to develop more green technology-based projects in the state, especially those relating to solar power.

The state’s Chief Minister said this would not only create more jobs but also establish many new business opportunities in terms of the handling, maintenance and installation of solar panels at commercial and residential premises.

The Chief Minister noted that the state government is also evaluating the entry of several new solar projects, seeing as similar solar projects are now becoming increasingly popular not only in Malaysia but around the world.

It is hoped that more Kedahans will take the opportunity to get involved.

This announcement was made after the opening of the 50-Megawatt Quantum Solar Park in Malaysia recently. Quantum Solar Park’s Chief Executive Officer was also present.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister stated that the construction of the solar plant in the Pendang district had indirectly made Kedah one of the leaders in the country’s solar industry and would help strengthen the state government’s ‘green’ efforts.

It was noted that the project is also among the initiatives to support the objectives of the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change (MESTECC) in increasing the use of renewable energy in Malaysia.

MESTECC was a Governmental agency established in 1992. It operates as the collection and dissemination centre for strategic Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) information in the country.

The agency also provides access to STI information from various institutions and acting as a linking mechanism among the policymakers, fund providers, researchers/developers, the industries and end users. Our core business is to collect and disseminate strategic information related to STI activities.

The Chief Minister noted that the state government will continue to support the growth of green technology as a new development model in enhancing the sustainability and resilience of the country, especially in achieving the target of reducing the production of carbon dioxide emissions under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

The 50-megawatt solar power station, which began operations in December 2018, is the largest in the north of the country, and capable of generating electricity for 30,000 households, while reducing carbon emissions by 21,000 tonnes annually.

According to a report published earlier by OpenGov Asia, the Malaysian government (more specifically, The Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry) announced that it aims to have 18% of the country’s electricity be generated from renewable sources by 2030, an increase from 2% currently.

The Minister of Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment had said that the ministry would have a series of meetings to ensure the national grid is prepared to cater for this renewable energy generation mix, as well as to study the policies to meet its target.

The view is to capitalise on future technological innovations, including industrial revolution 4.0 elements while retaining customers’ confidence through digitalisation of services and improving customer experiences.

RE usually depends more on technology disruption that will come in the next few years.

How quick the technology evolves will decide on when whether the 20% target will be achieved. However, the Ministry affirmed its commitment to the cause.

This is RE is more than just being green; it is to make citizens’ tariffs much more predictable, of which electricity right now is hugely dependent on the global fuel price.