Energy efficiency can reduce supply-demand gap — association

KOTA KINABALU: Energy Efficiency (EE) is crucial for Malaysia as it will balance and reduce the supply and demand gap of energy in the country.

According to Zaini Abdul Wahab of the Malaysian Association of Registered Electrical Energy Managers (Mareem), energy demand is projected to increase from 2,000 PJ (in 2009) to 4,013 (in 2030), an average rate of 3.6 per cent per year.

“Some of the short-term and longterm measures that can be taken are through EE initiatives, while at the same time working and looking for new energy sources such as renewable energy and alternative energy,” Zaini said in his presentation at the second day of the SESB Sustainable Energy Convention yesterday.

Simply put, EE refers to the reduction in energy used for a given service. Among the benefits of EE are the reduced exposure to the uncertainties in energy price fluctuation and deferred capital investments, Zaini asserted.

The concept of EE may also attract more investors and it will pave the way to more access in capital (new and additional sources of economic growth).

In terms of its environmental benefits, EE will reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the country.

“The benefits of EE also includes the creation of new job opportunities, an improved energy security and a reduction in operation and maintenance costs,” Zaini said.

He stressed that 2/3 of the economic potential to improve energy efficiency remains untapped in the period leading up to 2035.

In his presentation entitled Roles of Energy Managers in Sustainable Energy Management For Large Energy Users, he had also touched on the importance of Energy Management (EM).

EM refers to activities that aim to ensure efficient use of energy in the organization, the standard systematic approach for the management of energy use.