Expanding Hydropower To Make Peninsular Malaysia Sustainable

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At a conference organised by the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) and officiated by the natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, I had the opportunity to address the direction Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) should take to achieve its green agenda.
The discussion focused on the pressing need for Peninsular Malaysia to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy sources, particularly through large-scale hydropower development.
The contrast with Sarawak
In Peninsular Malaysia, power generation remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Coal contributes 43% of the electricity generated, while gas-powered stations provide 36%.
Hydropower accounts for a modest 17%, while solar energy — a critical renewable source — lags far behind at just 4%.
This scenario is vastly different from Sarawak, where 63% of electricity is derived from hydropower thanks to significant investments into the construction of dams such as Bakun, Batang Ai and Murum.
This difference in energy generation portfolios underscores the necessity for Peninsular Malaysia to reassess and expand its renewable energy initiatives and reduce its carbon footprint to align with global sustainability goals.
Key to green energy transition
Hydropower, solar and wind energy are recognised as renewable energy sources, allowing industries utilising them to claim carbon credits. These credits incentivise businesses to adopt greener operations by enabling them to offset their emissions.
However, industries in Peninsular Malaysia face a significant disadvantage in accessing such credits due to the dominance of coal and gas in the country’s energy mix.
Despite the NETR’s vision for a greener energy transition, Peninsular Malaysia remains far from realising its potential as a green-powered region.
Solar farms, though a promising avenue, face challenges. The extensive land requirements and high costs make it difficult to scale solar energy production to make it a viable alternative to coal and gas.
Expanding hydropower
The solution lies in leveraging the untapped potential of hydropower on a larger scale, with many rivers in every state in the peninsula.
Hydropower offers a multifaceted approach to addressing not only energy needs but also critical environmental and societal challenges:
Renewable energy generation: Hydropower harnesses the kinetic energy of flowing water to generate electricity. By building additional dams, Peninsular Malaysia can significantly reduce its dependence on coal and gas, contributing to a greener energy mix.Water supply management: Beyond energy, dams can provide a sustainable solution for water supply. Treated water from reservoirs can address the increasing demand for clean water in urban and rural areas in Kelantan, Kedah, Pahang and Johor.Flood mitigation: Dams can also serve as water retention systems, mitigating flood risks in vulnerable areas. Again, states like Kelantan, Kedah, Pahang and Johor, which frequently experience devastating floods, could benefit immensely from dams that regulate water flow during heavy rains.Carbon credit opportunities: Expanding hydropower capacity would enable industries in the peninsula to claim carbon credits, encouraging a transition to greener practices and boosting Malaysia’s standing in the global carbon market.A strategic path forward
Investing in hydropower infrastructure is not without challenges. Financial resources, environmental considerations, and community impacts must be carefully managed.
However, the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs.
Hydropower is a proven, scalable solution that can meet Malaysia’s energy demands, targeted in the NETR, while aligning with its commitments under international climate agreements, such as the Paris Accord.
By prioritising hydropower, Malaysia can accelerate its energy transition, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and position itself as a leader in green energy within the Asean region.
The green agenda is no longer an option but an urgent imperative in Malaysia’s NETR revision.
Expanding hydropower is the logical next step towards a sustainable and resilient future for Peninsular Malaysia.
For industries and policymakers, the message is clear: embrace hydropower or risk falling behind in the global push for sustainability and carbon neutrality. - FMT
Rosli Khan presented the summary of his paper on the subject at the Institute of Civil Engineers’ conference in Petaling Jaya on Dec 3, 2024.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT. He can be reached at: [email protected]

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