Current Status of Renewable Energy Development

Abstract

AbstractMalaysia is blessed with rich natural resources that can be potential sources for the generation of sustainable clean energy. Natural resources such as hydro, solar, lignocellulosic biomass can be harnessed for the generation of renewable energy. In the effort to mitigate global climate change, Malaysia has strengthened its commitment to increase carbon–neutral energy sources and recently has upgraded its target of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix from 20 to 31% by 2025. With Malaysia’s unique geographical and socio-economic advantages, a variety of renewable energy technologies can be developed in Malaysia. To propel Malaysia’s renewable energy agenda, aggressive actions were taken, via the establishment of various policies and enactments of several acts, to strengthen and boost the implementation of renewable energy in governmental agencies and private sectors and from individuals to corporates. Several initiatives and incentives were also launched, namely the Small Renewable Energy Power (SREP) Programme, Feed-in Tariff (FiT), and Net Energy Metering (NEM) schemes, by the government to achieve the target of renewable energy percentage in the total energy mix. Renewable energies, such as hydro and solar, have taken a tremendous leap in technological development and implementation in Malaysia, however, biomass-based renewable energy is still in its infancy stage. Being a country with high agricultural activities and products, biomass-based renewable energy has high potential in Malaysia. In this chapter, we will be giving an overview of Malaysia’s renewable energy resources, the launched policies and schemes in promoting the development of renewable energies, and the potential of palm oil plantation and oil palm industries in advancing biomass-based renewable energy technologies.KeywordsRenewable energy resourcesRenewable energy resources policiesPalm oil