Home > Do we have other options?

Do we have other options?Print this page 

Hydro potential in Peninsular Malaysia is limited. Current remaining untapped hydro power stands at approximately only 1700 MW. This amount is relatively very small to serve increasingly high electricity demand. In addition, the remaining potential in the Peninsular are mainly peaking type, with limited energy. Another issue that revolves around hydro plants is relocation of people at the affected sites, where it is normally complicated and could involve high cost.

With the introduction of 5-Fuel Policy, renewable energy (RE) is recognized as one of the main fuel for power generation. As of now, renewable energy has been developed in Peninsular Malaysia via Small Renewable Energy Program (SREP).  It has been established through willing buyer and willing seller basis between TNB and the SREP developers via Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement (REPPA). The table below shows the current status of RE through REPPA.

No

Item

No

Capacity (MW)

1

April 2010 - REPPA signed

17

88.15

Project Commissioned (COD)

6

24.7

REPPA signed

8

41.45

REPPA terminated

3

22

2

Project not signed

14

108.9

3

Project not yet approved by SCORE

4

30

4

Project rejected by EC

7

37

TOTAL APPLICATION

59

264.05

To date, a total of 59 applications were received. However, only 29% advanced with REPPA, for a total capacity of 88.15 MW. Currently, there are only 6 plants in operation mode with a total capacity of only 24.7 MW.  This figure shows that renewable energy has not been progressively developed. The slow uptake for renewable energy could be attributed to lack of robust commercial mechanism to support RE development. However, Feed in Tariff will be introduced by the government in 2012 under the RE Act and Action Plan. Feed in Tariff entails purchasing power from RE developers at premium price. With the introduction of this mechanism, the development of RE is expected to increase. 

Nevertheless, Malaysia still needs to consider nuclear due to several reasons, namely intermittency of RE, cost of technology and remote location of some of the RE sources.  

Development of RE should continue and hopefully with future technology advancement, more contributions from RE could be expected. However, this advancement might not be available in the near future. Hence, Malaysia has to look at readily available option such as nuclear.