By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, May 19 — As Malaysia braces for potential energy challenges, Selangor is stepping up efforts to accelerate its renewable energy (RE) transition by finalising the Selangor Agenda for Green Economy (SAGE) and forming a special committee for solar farm development.
State executive councillor for public health and the environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the SAGE blueprint positions clean energy as a key driver of Selangor’s green economy ambitions, focusing on solar, small hydro, biogas, hydrogen, and natural gas as cleaner alternatives to coal, which still accounts for about 43 per cent of Malaysia’s energy mix.
“In addition, to ensure energy security, we cannot rely solely on solar due to its intermittency and inability to generate power at night.
[caption id="attachment_375766" align="alignright" width="407"]
State executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin speaks at the launch of the Selangor Environmental Carnival 2024 at Taman Tasik Millenium, Hulu Selangor, on October 13, 2024. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
“Hence, exploring other options such as small hydro and biogas is essential to strengthening our energy resilience,” she told Media Selangor.
Jamaliah also noted that a small hydropower plant was officially launched in Batang Kali in January, one year ahead of schedule, with several more expected in the next 12 months.
Earlier this month, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the nation must focus on renewable energy to avoid large-scale energy crises like those in Spain and Portugal.
He referred to the recent massive power outages in both countries on April 28, the biggest in decades. Lasting several hours, millions were stranded on public transport while others lost internet connectivity or phone access.
Fadillah, also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said Malaysia must ensure electricity security, particularly in Peninsular Malaysia states with insufficient hydroenergy resources.
As Selangor accounts for 47 per cent of Peninsular Malaysia’s electricity consumption, Jamaliah said the state will focus on energy efficiency initiatives to reduce demand while boosting clean energy generation.
“Besides increasing clean energy generation in Selangor, the state will also embark on energy efficiency projects to reduce electricity consumption and lower overall energy demand,” she said.
To address infrastructure and bureaucratic hurdles in RE adoption, a dedicated committee has been established to manage solar farm development applications.
This is supported by a state-appointed entity tasked with identifying suitable land, water bodies, and potential grid connection points.
“Through this facilitation, we hope to attract more investors and uptake of green energy projects in Selangor,” Jamaliah said.
Despite RE policy falling under federal jurisdiction, Jamaliah said Selangor is taking its own initiative to tackle hurdles like complex bureaucratic processes and the lack of a centralised system to assist potential investors.
“There is no centralised body able to provide information on land and water body availability, easing the process for potential investors.
“To address that, the special committee was formed specifically for solar farm development,” she said.
Slow transition could lead to missteps
Meanwhile, Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia president S. Piarapakaran warned that while Malaysia’s RE rollout is advancing, it continues shifting key supply risks onto the national grid.
“RE is an intermittent resource that increases electricity supply risk to the grid. This is the primary issue that must be resolved.
“To manage this unmitigated risk, fossil fuel power plants will need to remain on standby, with the associated standby costs being passed on through electricity tariffs,” he told Media Selangor.
Piarapakaran also warned against moving too slowly or blindly adopting “world-acclaimed RE solutions” without taking local risks and conditions into account.
“I believe making the right move is vital compared to making a world-acclaimed one when it comes to energy,” he said, noting that global views on green and sustainable solutions can vary.
To reduce intermittent risks from RE, a parallel energy storage system must be developed to ensure supply security.
However, Piarapakaran noted that options like Battery Energy Storage Systems still rely on unsustainable mining practices, while other storage technologies are not yet ready for large-scale use.
As a developing country, Malaysia must adopt a gradual and well-thought-out approach to sustainability, as missteps could lead to obsolete strategies.
On Selangor, he urged the state to focus on energy efficiency (EE), describing it as the most pragmatic and currently underutilised strategy.
If Malaysia can reduce energy use by 20 per cent through effective policies, it would eliminate inefficiencies and maximise the impact of every energy investment, he added.
“To complement EE, Selangor can explore substitution mechanisms where some portion of demand can be generated without relying on grid electricity, including via peak demand shaving,” Piarapakaran said.
Peak shaving is a management strategy used to reduce electricity use during peak periods.
On policy gaps, he emphasised the need to manage intermittency more effectively, including through multi-function hydroprojects and greater investment in underutilised resources like biomass and biogas.
“Transparency in energy and electricity cost components is a must. This will allow investors and businesses to plan their role in the energy transition,” Piarapakaran said.
