By Amar Shah Mohsen
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — Gombak MP Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari has made the ambitious proposal of opening Malaysia’s energy market to break the existing monopoly and allow more players to participate.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, the Menteri Besar said although the move may be unpopular to many, it is crucial to ensure sufficient energy supply can meet future demands.
A similar approach has been taken by many other countries, albeit under strict government regulation and supervision.
“Even if we do not allow up to 20 energy suppliers, perhaps five or six will ensure enough power supply so we are not trapped.
“Because amid our excitement over electric vehicles (EVs), the bigger question we must ask is if we can produce enough energy in the future,” he said when debating Budget 2024.
Although the country has adopted green solutions, like promoting EVs, the energy supply issue remains a big dilemma for the government.
Amirudin said while the government has started utilising alternative energy sources like biomass and solar, the Energy Commission’s data indicates they only comprise around four per cent of Malaysia’s total supply in 2019.
This does not factor in the potential future energy demand increase once massive public transportation projects like the East Coast Rail Link and LRT3 are completed.
“And when we talk about EVs, we need charging stations. These superchargers need substations to be installed by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB). Are we prepared for that? Do we have enough energy to supply?
“Hence, I suggest we study the approach of other countries whereby the energy sector is not monopolised by only a certain quarter,” he said.
TNB is currently the sole energy provider in Peninsular Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the Pakatan Harapan lawmaker said the Energy Commission and Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Ministry must better coordinate and negotiate with state governments on their respective energy requirements.
“There should be better energy requirements’ projections for each area and locality, so state governments understand and can better manage supply,” he said.
