ENSURING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH OF SOLAR PV INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA – ISSUES AND CHALLENGES.

摘要

The Malaysia solar PV market covering manufacturing and service sectors are expected to grow significantly in the coming decades due in parts to energy security issues that Malaysia is facing and also the withdrawing of gas subsidies for electricity generation that would increase electricity rates to consumers. Already at the beginning of 2014, the government has increased electricity tariff by 15%. According to a reliable report, Malaysia will be a net energy importer in 2019, as demand outstrips supply. With domestic gas reserves continues to deplete, the future of gas supplies for power generation is worrisome. Even coal imports are vulnerable due to prices volatility and supply uncertainty. There is a call to introduce nuclear power plant (NPP) to meet Malaysia future load demand but a long list of financial, technology and safety issues at hand, it is doubtful NPP will ever be built. To fill this energy vacuum, one source of energy that is already changing current energy landscapes and is challenging the dominance of gas, coal and even nuclear is the infinite supply of solar energy . The impact of current government programs to popularise solar PV has been overwhelming and is impossible for anyone to reverse the momentum. As solar PV is taking centre stage and is becoming very popular, largely due to attractive FiT rates under the FiT program, it is increasingly clear that FiT program will not sustain the PV market indefinitely. New innovative ways and programs need to be put in place to ensure solar PV maintains its relevance.