MELAKA: The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is triggering major ripples across global energy markets, strengthening the case for Malaysia to accelerate waste-to-energy (WtE) as a renewable power source.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the government plans to build 18 WtE plants through the National Solid Waste Management Department (JPSPN), with a projected capacity of up to 600 megawatts by 2040.
“This initiative will not only ease the burden on landfills but also contribute to renewable energy generation and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
“It also supports the National Energy Transition Roadmap target of achieving 70% renewable energy capacity by 2050,” he said at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sungai Udang WtE project yesterday, Bernama reported.
Nga said the Sungai Udang facility would be Malaysia’s second WtE plant, following the success of the first in Ladang Tanah Merah, Negri Sembilan.
The project, developed on a 3.96ha site via open tender, involves an investment of RM660mil and is expected to be fully operational by 2029.
Once completed, the plant will process up to 1,000 tonnes of solid waste daily and generate 22 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to power around 46,000 homes. It is also expected to cut more than 259,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to removing about 56,000 vehicles from the road.
Nga said the WtE technology could reduce up to 85% of solid waste sent to landfills, while the remaining 15% could be repurposed through circular economy approaches.
The push comes amid heightened global energy uncertainty following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint handling about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply, as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to impact logistics and drive up crude prices.
Meanwhile, on the 34 ailing projects under Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia, all of them have been resolved.
The milestone was marked by the handover of keys for Residensi Klebang 2 and Residensi Bukit Katil in Melaka. The residential areas comprise 800 and 407 units respectively, with prices starting from around RM180,000.
Both projects were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains, increased construction costs and caused labour shortages.
Nga said the government is focusing on housing reforms through a comprehensive transformation of the project delivery system to prevent future delays.
“This effort encompasses strengthening accountability and transparency, as well as adopting modern construction technologies and digitalisation to reduce the risk of delays and ensure more consistent building quality.”
