Renewable energy to account for 23% in Asean by 2025

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KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water hopes the share of renewable energy (RE) in the ASEAN region to rise to 23 per cent by 2025. 

Its Secretary-General, Datuk Seri Dr. Zaini Ujang said currently, the share of RE in the generation mix was only 9.7 per cent, mainly from hydropower and geothermal power. 

"We need a bigger shift and to at least increase our share of RE to 23 per cent by 2025, which is the level targeted by ASEAN," he told a press conference after officiating the 7th National Energy Forum here today. 

Zaini said as the United Nation's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development becomes closer, it is pertinent for Malaysia to look for game changers to transform the country's energy landscape. 

He said new policy instruments such as the Renewable Portfolio Standard would be considered to drastically increase the share of RE. 

"With regards to this, our ministry will be engaging all stakeholders to get inputs and feedback to help us reach the RE target," he said. 

Zaini said the ministry would continue to promote green culture and lifestyle, the RE capacity to 30 per cent in energy mix by 2030 and to reduce the electricity intensity by 20 per cent in 2020 based on the 2005 level. 

"We will also ensure that the RE business will be viable with financing facilities and to export renewable technology and human resources in RE services at the ASEAN level," he said in his opening speech earlier. 

Zaini said to further transform Malaysia's energy sector, nationwide roll-out of smart meters had begun in the first quarter of 2016 and is expected to be completed by 2025. 

"This smart meter will enable utilities to identify real-time energy consumption patterns of users and therefore assist in managing load efficiently.

"Apart from the domestic RE supply, we should also look beyond our borders for an affordable and continuous supply," he said. 

In this respect, he said Malaysia is looking at procuring hydropower from Laos as part of the initiative under the ASEAN Power Grid. 

"We are currently working closely with other ASEAN member states to ensure that the first 'juice' will be flowing into our system by 2018," he added. - Bernama