The future of energy consumption
ELECTRICITY plays a vital role in our daily lives. In the last decade, however, energy consumption has increased as a result of higher living standards and global population growth.
The Energy Commission of Malaysia has reported that in 2016, electricity consumption grew 21.7% from 15.9% in 1996.
According to Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s 2018 Annual Report, energy generation in peninsular Malaysia comes mainly from three sources – 40.17% from natural gas, coal (55.86%) and hydropower (3.89%).
However, Malaysia has to pursue alternative sources and look to renewable energy. One such alternative is solar energy.
Harnessing the sun’s rays
The popularity of solar energy has risen as an alternative source for fossil fuels because it is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available in Malaysia.
Technology currently used to harness solar energy in Malaysia is the photovoltaic (PV) system, where sunlight is directly converted to electricity with the use of solar panels. According to Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin, there are more than 4.12 million buildings with solar rooftop potential
in peninsular Malaysia, which can generate a massive 34,194Mw of electricity at any one time compared with 24,000Mw, which is the country’s current total electricity production.
A newly revamped Net Energy Metering (NEM) scheme has certainly helped site owners adopt a new approach to both help the environment and profit from their longterm investment. The Government has done well in introducing the Feed-in-tariff (FIT) system and NEM over the years but more action is needed. This includes both continuous technological pushes spearheaded by tech companies and the Government as well as boosting general acceptance by the public.
Of course, implementation of a new energy source is not as easy as it sounds. What currently hinders solar power is its price. Generating electricity from the sun is still five to 11 times more costly than coal, hydro or nuclear sources. Solar panels use costly semiconductors to produce electricity from sunlight, but semiconductor factories require a “clean” production environment and are therefore costly to build and sustain.
Other than that, the process of applying for NEM can be quite tedious and confusing. While it is possible to submit the application online, NEM approvals can take up to 30 days and that is from just one organisation. Authorities should review their processes to make it easier for adopters.
There are quite a few countries that have extensively adopted solar energy. Japan, for instance, has pledged to increase its percentage of energy from renewable sources from 15% to 24%, including boosting adoption of wind and solar energy by 2030. India, meanwhile, has achieved its initial target of 20Gw capacity of solar energy four years early and has quickly become the lowest-cost producer of solar power in the world.
While Malaysia is still new to solar power, it is possible for us to stop relying on fossil fuels and begin adopting renewable energy as part of our energy mix. While we have taken our initial steps, the road to clean power generation is still long.