New approach to energy: Nik Nazmi (right) visiting a booth describing MELP after the public launch of the programme in Putrajaya. — ART CHEN/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Energy literacy – that’s another form of literacy that the government and utility providers want people to have.
It means having a broad understanding of the characteristics and role of energy in daily lives, which has to go together with the ability to apply it to solve problems.
The Natural Resources, Envi-ronment and Climate Change Ministry and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) want to create a generation of Malaysians who can picture how energy flows, and to think through the sustainability of energy systems.
Yesterday, Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad unveiled the Malaysia Energy Literacy Programme (MELP), a TNB-funded programme that has largely been running since the company started it in 2020.
According to TNB, the chief aim of MELP is to share information with Malaysians so that they understand the importance of energy.
“MELP is able to shape societal perception towards electricity as a source that should be cherished, and by providing verified information, it is hoped that the people will be able to use energy more effectively and in a responsible manner,” said the national utility company in a fact sheet.
Nik Nazmi said MELP is a systematic push to promote sustainability at all levels of the energy supply ecosystem, from the utilities all the way to the end consumer, be it commercial or residential users.
He repeatedly used the phrase of resolving the ‘energy trilemma’, which is the challenge of ensuring energy security, affordability and sustainability all at once, with one eye fixed on the target of achieving ever lower emissions, with some aiming for ‘nett zero’ emissions.
“The people need to appreciate and usher in – together with the government and TNB – the agenda of the national energy transition, which is about balancing the three elements of the energy trilemma,” he said in his speech at the MELP unveiling, which was also attended by TNB president and CEO Datuk Baharin Din.
“In this regard, energy efficiency is also important in driving the transformation of the customer mindset towards a form that is more sustainable and smart, through digitalisation,” said Nik Nazmi.
In his speech, Baharin said TNB will remain a key enabler of Malaysia’s energy transition towards a low-emissions era this year, with MELP being a key part of the equation.
“TNB has collaborated with the ministry, the Energy Commission, the Sustainable Energy Development Authority, consumer associations, higher education institutions and so on, to ensure MELP’s objectives can be met.
“For example, TNB worked with the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) and the Muslim Consumers Association to impart awareness on energy to students and the community in order to foster a deeper understanding of efficient use of energy,” he added.
Dhana Raj Markandu, an independent energy analyst, said MELP is a timely initiative to improve awareness and knowledge about energy among Malaysians, though it needs to look at things in a holistic manner, going beyond just electricity to include other sectors such as oil and gas as well as transportation.
Dhana Raj Markandu, an independent energy analyst, said MELP is a timely initiative to improve Malaysians’ awareness of and knowledge about energy.
“Energy literacy should also be looked at more holistically, going beyond just electricity to include other sectors such as oil and gas as well as transportation.
“The National Energy Policy, released by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in September 2022 looks at energy from this perspective. Energy communication initiatives must be streamlined and consistent among the numerous entities involved (EPU, the ministry, TNB, Energy Commission, Petronas, etc) to be effective,” he added.
Dhana said MELP should provide balanced information, highlighting both the pros and cons of different energy sources from multiple aspects, so that Malaysians have a well-rounded view of the subject beyond just the price of energy and carbon emissions.
“For example, while we should continue to displace fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gases by increasing the share of clean energy sources, the consequences of this transition – such as grid stability, energy security, land use, raw material use, end-of-life management, etc – should also be discussed.
“Energy literacy should be geared towards creating long-term awareness and behavioural change among Malaysians in their attitudes towards energy, and not just short-term tokenism,” said Dhana, who also asked for more transparency of data so that more analysts can help to achieve better sustainability.
Dr Azrudi Mustapha, an energy analyst, said recognising that most of our electricity generation comes from fossil fuels is the key to transform the energy sector.
Dr Azrudi Mustapha, another energy analyst, said recognising that most electricity generation comes from fossil fuels is the key to transforming the energy sector.
This phase was covered well by yesterday’s announcement, he said.
“However, it must be noted that green energy is not necessarily the same as renewable energy – these are not synonyms.
“While the pursuit of renewable energy is a noble cause, we must recognise that we do not have a critical energy scarcity problem, but what we have is a critical energy (greenhouse) emissions problem,” he added.
Nik Nazmi said he hoped that MELP would usher in an era permeated by renewable energy, digitalisation and broad understanding of energy systems.
“We don’t just want the people to just flick the switch when using energy, but also know what goes on behind the scenes.
“I would like to see the day where every young person in Malaysia knows where the energy (they use) comes from,” he said.
