The Forum was officiated by Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui, the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Malaysia. Speaking at the 4th Energy Forum in his opening address, the Minister mentioned that Malaysia’s energy demand is projected to grow at 3.4% per year, reaching 92.9 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2030, which is more than two times the 2010 level. Malaysia is expected to be a net importer of energy by 2020.

Alongside the forum, the Minister launched the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water Malaysia’s latest campaign which is ‘You Waste, You Pay’. The launch of the campaign was broadcasted on TV3 during prime time. The launch was probably the most memorable high points of the forum.

Originally renowned as ‘Energy Forum’, the forum this year has been shaped into a premier gathering after receiving the recognition from the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water Malaysia. As a platform to promote dialogue and exchange of views on key matters relating to energy in Malaysia, the 4th Energy Forum attracted 280 attendees, an amazingly high number of attendees, perhaps 30-40% more than usual.

A landmark gathering, characterized by one mission in mind, brought together senior Government officials, regulators, industry captains, key stakeholders and business executives to discuss on emerging issues, challenges, opportunities and strategies towards ensuring a sustainable energy to meet Malaysia’s future energy needs to drive the economy.

This forum, by all accounts a resounding success and perhaps the most spirited and successful ever, featured leading figures within the Malaysian Energy scene. In total, 17 speakers presented their case studies or analysis based on the three panel discussions’ topics namely ‘Energy sector regulatory and policy: Are we ready?’, ‘Ensuring Energy Sustainability’ and ‘Key issues and challenges for effective framework’.

The complete list of speakers contributing to the success of the forum is as follows:
1.YBhg Datuk (Dr) Abdul Rahim Hashim, President Malaysian Gas Association
2.Mr Rajnish Goswami, Wood Mackenzie Singapore
3.YBhg Datuk Loo Took Gee, Secretary General, Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water
4.YBhg Datin Roslina Zainal, VP, System Planning, TNB
5.Puan Badriyah Abd Malek, CEO, Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia
6.Encik Mohd Nur Ismail Mohamed Kamal, Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat
7.Encik Zainal Abidin Jalil, President Penjana Bebas
8.YBhg Dato’ Abdul Razak Abdul Majid, CEO, My Power Corporation
9.Encik Samduddin Miskon, MD/CEO, PETRONAS Gas Berhad
10.Encik M Shaiful Bahari Hussain, MD, TNB Fuel Services Sdn Bhd
11.Encik Mohd Elmi Anas, Director, Energy Management and Industry Development, EC
12.Mr Yeoh Yung Juen, CFA, Analyst CIMB
13.YBhg Datuk Ir Ahmad Fauzi Hasan, CEO EC
14.YBhg Datuk Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, Secretary General, Ministry of International Trade and Industry
15.Tuan Ir Hj Abd Razak Salim, MD Sabah Electric Sdn Bhd
16.Mr Ir Pramod Karunakaran, VP, Infrastructure and Utilities, PETRONAS
17.YBhg Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon, President, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers

Some of the highlights and important messages emerging of the Forum are
summarized as follows:

1.The global energy sector is facing numerous challenges such as tightness in fuel supply, depleting fossil fuel reserves, volatile prices and global warming situation which have caused major challenges on the world’s overall demand for energy.
2.Malaysia has been well sheltered from most of the oil crisis affecting the world’s energy market such as the steep inflation in the prices of crude oil and natural gas. However, while supply is not a major concern, the widening gap between the domestic and international energy prices has resulted in a significant distortion of the Malaysian economy.
3.Malaysia has to continue to register low energy price to maintain the current economic growth.
4.Malaysian energy issues need to be addressed in a holistic manner in order to frame out a sustainable energy plan that would fulfill Malaysian developmental goals towards becoming a high income economy by 2020 and beyond. In line with the intent, the Government is currently understudying the benefits from the removal of petrol, natural gas and power subsidies. How can the Government withdraw those subsidies without creating any adverse impact on the Nation’s economy. What would be the desired or ideal energy framework the Malaysian Government should provide for sustainable energy future.
5.Malaysia’s final energy demand is projected to grow at 3.4% per year, reaching 92.9 million tons of oil equivalent (mtoe) in the year 2030, which is more than two-fold from 2010’s level. Based on that fact, the Government is planning on how best to allocate Malaysian energy resources between competing users.
6.The total gas consumption in Peninsular Malaysia has risen by 13% over the last decade and the bulk comes from the power sector that has been driven by the heavily subsidized gas pricing which has strained Malaysia’s supply infrastructure causing frequent supply disruptions which has become a major challenge as we are fast moving towards becoming a country that has to rely on imports to meet the domestic energy needs. This issue needs to be addressed urgently in order to sustain the rapid economic growth through 2020 and beyond.
7.In addressing the challenges surrounding the energy supply, the Government is embarking on energy efficiency initiatives. Energy efficiency or EE is an effective and efficient policy instrument that can offer an excellent solution to reduce Malaysian energy demand and at the same time to retain or improve the benefits derived from the energy utilization. Presently, the Government is carrying several EE initiatives on various segments of energy users in the country. Amongst them are the development of the energy services company i.e the ESCOS to help energy users to identify and attain energy savings potential.
8.A program called SAVE, under EE initiative, to promote market penetration of energy efficient appliances in the household sector as well as energy efficient dealers for the commercial has been introduced by the Government. Cash rebates will be provided to participating vendors who support energy efficiency improvement in buildings by demonstration projects and enhancement of the buildings’ coat. Besides that, the Government also provides various fiscal incentives such as investment tax allowances, pioneer status, and import duty and sales tax exemptions for EE improvement initiatives taken up by the business entities. So far, the Government’s introduced initiatives have shown notable achievements.
9.The Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water Malaysia is developing a National EE Master plan to streamline efforts in addressing the issues of energy supply and demand together with issues related to energy use such as green house gas emissions and climate change. To ensure the success of these initiatives, the EE Policy will be further strengthened by improving the enforcement of the prevailing regulations. To ensure the successful implementation of EE, the Government is also enhancing the existing regulations and guidelines such as minimum energy performance standards and regulations.
10.The Government will also enhance and strengthen the institutional and regulatory framework as part of the Malaysian electricity supply industry reformed initiatives which is presently being headed by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water Malaysia.
11.The Government has introduced international competitive bidding within the Malaysian energy industry for the construction of new combine cycle gas turbine (CCGT) of 1,000 -1,400 MW of power supply in Prai. Bidding exercise has been undertaken amongst the first generation IPPs and TNB’s ageing plant and Suruhanjaya Tenaga has been entrusted by the Government to conduct the competitive bidding exercise to provide the best value to the nation in order to ensure independence, credibility and transparency in the processes. This competitive bidding will result in a new capacity to be installed in Prai using the latest gas turbines of significantly higher efficiency to optimize the use of gas which is more environmentally friendly. Upon completion, the newly developed gas turbines could surpass the 60% efficiency in the combined cycle mode marking another first for the country. These are the necessary steps undertaken by the Government to cater for the increasing national demand expected by the year 2017. It is also in line with the Government’s effort to enhance transparency and efficiency in the Government’s deliverables.
12.Among the initiatives to further spark the energy sector development under the economic transformation programme or ETP multi billion ringgit efforts to intensify oil and gas exploration activities are to enhance depleted fields recovery, develop marginal fields, increase gas imports, improve energy efficiency, increase renewable energy generation and new capacity for nuclear option into the future.
13.The Government is going on full gear embarking on energy saving initiatives via the campaigns done hoping to instill the SAVE habit within the Malaysians to lessen the spending on energy and the efforts to generate. Generating more and more energy is not the way forward.
14.The Government will continue to support Energy Forum as an avenue of development, challenges and issues within the energy sector which has an impact one way or another on commercial businesses and the daily life of an ordinary layman.

The 4th National Energy Forum was fully supported by relevant Government ministries, agencies and organizations.

EC, ECOM, Special Advisory Committee, MGA, event organizing committee members and staff of organizers would like to thank all delegates who attended the 4th National Energy Forum. In addition, we wish to thank each and every speaker and sponsor for their time and support in making the conference a huge success!