2023 National Energy Awards recognises green industry players, says Fadillah

KUALA LUMPUR: The 2023 National Energy Awards ceremony (NEA) has recognised 38 industry players and institutions for their efforts and initiatives in the application of renewable energy practices and energy efficiency.

The NEA has been held annually since 2018 and was set up to recognise leading Malaysian corporations and institutions for adopting game-changing sustainability initiatives in line with the nation’s Just Energy Transition, Net Zero, and sustainable development agenda.

It is aligned with Malaysia’s aspiration to be a net-zero greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions nation by 2050.

Officiating the event on Friday (March 8), Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said 114 entries were received for NEA 2023 which saw a reduction of more than 1.4 gigawatts in cumulative energy consumption.

"This is equivalent to electricity bill savings of over RM200 million (at the current tariff) and a reduction in carbon emissions of over 23,000 metric tons per year," he said.

Fadillah added that he is happy to share that that 23 NEA 2023 winners had represented the country at the ASEAN Energy Awards 2023, with 12 of them returning with awards in various AEA categories

The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister said the role of the industry players and institute representatives at the ceremony is important in mobilizing and raising awareness in the application of best practices and advanced technology in sustainable energy.

"I am very proud of the achievements of the NEA 2023 winners because it is proof that Malaysia has succeeded in creating a viable renewable energy industry with local players who are competent, qualified and competitive," said Fadillah.

He added that the NEA and AEA winners are the best in the field of sustainable energy at the national and regional level and said that the victory shows the ability of local industry to present ideas and innovative solutions in optimizing supply and sustainable energy use.

Fadillah then said that he hoped these NEA and AEA winners would share their experience, benefits as well as their best practices with all parties interested in exploring renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The NEA 2023 received a total of 114 submissions for four categories comprising Energy Management, Energy Efficient Building, Renewable Energy and the Special Awards.

The winner of each category received a cash prize of RM40,000 while the runners up received a RM15,000 cash prize.

Fadillah said the energy sector, including the electricity supply sector, accounts for almost 80% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in Malaysia, adding that his ministry is determined to reduce the carbon footprint of the electricity supply sector.

He added that this is because the electricity supply sector plays an important role in supporting the country's economic development and makes a significant contribution to the realization of the nation's aspirations of net zero GHG.

Fadillah then said that his ministry will focus on efforts to reduce the country's carbon footprint through energy transition measures with the priority being the implementation of 3D (Digitalisation, Decentralization and Decarbonisation) initiatives.

He added that this is to create an ecosystem of green investment and the development of advanced technology that is conducive, also saying that his Ministry is committed to implementing the national energy transition agenda by setting progressive policies.

Fadillah said this includes increasing the capacity mix of renewable energy in the national electricity supply to 70% by 2050 compared to 25% currently and developing programmes and initiatives to increase local industry participation in green electricity.

He added that this would cover both the generation and purchase of green electricity.

"We also plan to reduce the intensity of emissions of greenhouse gases from electricity generation by phasing down coal-fired power plants and stopping the development of new coal-fired power plants," said Fadillah.

"We also want to increase the elasticity of the grid system (grid flexibility) through the integration of digitization and energy storage system development to enable the inclusion of higher solar capacity," he added.

He then said that his ministry is also looking into finalizing the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill, which will regulate energy consumption by high-intensity users in commercial and industrial sectors which would also see a reduction of GHG emissions.

Fadillah said based on these commitments and initiatives, the electricity supply sector was expected to be able to reduce the intensity of carbon emissions by 45% in 2025 and 60% in 2035 compared to the carbon emissions intensity in 2005.

"This step is consistent with national commitments under the Paris Climate Change Agreement to reduce the intensity of the emission of greenhouse gases by 45% by 2030," he said.