I urge governments of all levels including the federal, State and local governments to take future development of renweable seriously following the incident of three day power outages in Iskandar Malaysia region in the past three days, affecting at least 18,000 users in Skudai dan Johor Bahru including parts of Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Taman Sutera Utama, Taman Skudai Baru, Taman Perling and Taman Bukit Indah.
It has a grave impact on the local economy and effects on investor’ confidence, but its negative impact could be reduced if shopping centres and houses have the installation of rooftop solar panles as an alternative source of energy.
These incidences reflect not only technical problems but also reflect an pressing increase in electricity demands
especially in Iskandar Malaysia region where fast growing economy and industries have exerted great demands on electricity. The governments concerned have to realize that Iskandar Malaysia cannot become a successful Smart City without adequate electricity supply and a commitment towards the development of renewable energy.
Gorvernments especially the Federal and State Governments have to take a far more serious commitment in resolving energy and electricity shortage problem and stepping up the efforts in developing our renewable energy sector.
Electricity and energy shortage and related problems could be minimized if solar and wind energies are being developed proactively in the country. Malaysia and Johor need to step up R&D in renewable energy development as a long term plan, especially in promoting solar energy and wind-turbine energy to not only reduce our dependence on fossil fuel and decrease carbon emission , but also to increase users’ energy independence on a few particular sources by offering more choices of energy sources.
According to TNB Report, by the year 2030, coal will still be the main source of electricity (49%) in Malaysia while natural gas 41% , oil 1%, hydro 5.7%, and renewable energy only will make up 3.3% of the total electricity energy source.
In 2016 Germany already used 32% renewable energy. According to the Renewables 2017 Global Status Report, most developed nations have targeted between 30 -70% renewable energy as the main source of electricity generation by the year of 2030 as compared to 11% in Malaysia.
In fact there are great potentials for Malaysia to explore renewable energy as a tropical country especially solar and wind energies. Nonetheless, both the Federal and Johor State Governments have no clear and committed policies towards the development of renewable energy in the moment. Both the State and Federal governments must manifest more commitment in developing more clean energy sources in not only protecting the environment but also meeting the ever rapid growing energy demands.
My office has offered assistance to Skudai residnets and businesses who were affected by the power outage on 13, 14 and 15 December to claim for losses through the Energy Commission at Suite 18A, 18th Floor, Menara Ansar, Jalan Trus, JB or e-ADUAN at Energy Commission website http://st.gov.my/index.php or comes to my service centre at Pejabat ADUN Skudai di 73A Jalan Sri Orkid 17, Taman Sri Orkid, 81300 Skudai. Tel：07-5127652.