Ministry offers 531 megawatt to renewable energy sector

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FiT incentive attracts RM4.3 billion investments from private sector

PUTRAJAYA: The Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry has offered 531 megawatt (MW) electricity to the renewable energy sector under the Feed-In Tariff (FiT) incentive mechanism until the first half of next year.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the implementation of the FiT mechanism for the renewable energy sector has attracted investments totalling RM4.3 billion from the private sector.

The investments are estimated to provide 11,700 new job opportunities, he said at the ministry’s 2013 Industry Award presentation.

Ongkili said Malaysia was among the earliest nation in the 10-member Asean regional grouping to implement the FiT mechanism to promote and increase non-renewable energy to about 2,000MW by 2020.

The minister also said his ministry was taking measures to improve the FiT mechanism besides exploring other mechanisms to increase non-renerwable energy in the country.

Ongkili also said Malaysia, among the first country to implement the electric vehicle programme in 2009, has established 20 electric vehicle charging stations in Greater KL and in Melaka.

“Tests on electric buses are progressing smoothly.

“It is hoped that the target to have 2,000 electric buses by 2020 will be realised.

“We’ve to pursue the electric vehicle programme rigorously like what other countries are doing.

“They’ve implemented the programme seriously.

“For instance, millions of electric vehicles will be on the road in the US by 2025,” he added. — Bernama