Energy award winners lead the way

KUALA LUMPUR: Hospitals, schools and ports were among the 38 institutions and companies that were recognised at the 2023 National Energy Awards (NEA) for their use of sustainable and efficient energy practices.

Among the top winners were Hospital Alor Gajah, Melaka, which won the award for energy management in a large building; Hospital Tangkak, Johor, for energy management in small and medium building; and Tzu Chi International School which was the top runner-up for the best energy-efficient building.

Others were the Johor Port Authority, which won an award for tropical building, and Proton Tanjung Malim which won the renewable energy category (On Grid, National).

The NEA has been held annually by the ministry overseeing energy since 2018 and seeks to recognise organisations that adopt energy practices that are in line with the nation’s Just Energy Transition, Net Zero, and sustainable development goals.

The initiative is aligned with Malaysia’s aim to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2050.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said 114 entries were received for NEA 2023; the participants cumulatively reduced energy consumption by more than 1.4 gigawatts (GW).

“This is equivalent to electricity bill savings of over RM200mil at the current tariff and a reduction of over 23,000 tonnes a year in carbon emissions,” said Fadillah, who also oversees the Energy Transition and Water Transfor-mation portfolio.

Of the NEA’s 2023 winners, 23 had also represented Malaysia at the Asean Energy Awards (AEA) 2023, with 12 of them returning with accolades in various AEA categories, he said.

“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 that are competent, qualified and competitive,” he said in a speech during the awards ceremony at a hotel here on Friday.

“As NEA and AEA winners, you all are the best in the field of sustainable energy at the national and regional level.

“This victory shows the ability of the local industry to present ideas and innovative solutions in optimising supply and sustainable energy use.”

The awards had four categories: Energy Management, Energy Efficient Building, Renewable Energy, and the Special Awards.

The winner of each category received RM40,000 while the runners-up received RM15,000.

“Since the electricity supply sector plays an important role in supporting the country’s econo-mic development and makes a significant contribution to the realisation of the nation’s aspirations of net zero GHG, the ministry is determined to continue all efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the electricity supply sector.

“In order to create an ecosystem of green investment and the development of advanced technology that is conducive, the ministry will focus on efforts to reduce the country’s carbon footprint through energy transition measures, with a focus on the implementation of 3Ds (digitalisation, decentralisation and decarbonisation) initiatives,” said Fadillah.

These measures include increasing the proportion of renewable energy in the electricity supply mix from the current 25% to 70% by 2050, and developing special initiatives to increase the participation of local companies in the generation and purchase of green electricity.

“We also plan to reduce the intensity of GHG emissions from electricity generation by phasing out coal-fired power plants and stopping the development of new coal-fired power plants,” he added.

The ministry wants to increase the national grid’s flexibility to use more solar energy by integrating digitisation and developing energy storage systems.

The ministry is also finalising the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill which will regulate electricity consumption by high-intensity users in commercial and industrial sectors and hopefully slash GHG emissions.

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

“This step is consistent with national commitments under the Paris Climate Change Agreement to reduce GHG emissions by 45% by the year 2030,” he said.