NO REASON FOR MALAYSIA NOT TO BE AMONG LEADERS IN SOLAR POWER, SAYS MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- There is no reason for Malaysia, which has
all-year-round sunshine, to be among the leaders in the solar power market,
says Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Peter Chin.

"If Germany with such a low sunshine can be a global solar market, then it
is a crying shame why Malaysia cannot be better, with our all-year-round
sunshine," he said in his keynote address at the Sixth National Utilities Summit
2009.

Germany generates about 3,800MW (Megawatt) solar power, almost half of the
world market.

Chin said Malaysia will soon implement the feed-in tariff like Germany to
enable users to sell excess power to the power grid.

It is also contemplating other measures to promote photovoltaics, he said in
his text of speech read out by the ministry's Deputy Secretary-General ( Green
Technology and Water) Nor Azmal Mohd Nazir.

If not for households, at least facilities with huge roof spans such as the
Putrajaya International Convention Centre, National Sports Complex, Kuala Lumpur
City Centre and factories in industrial zones should implement BIPV (Building
Integrated Photovoltaics), Chin said.

As for nuclear power, he said, it is something for post-2020.

He said Malaysia is finalising Renewable Energy Plan to boost its
development in the country.

By 2020, hydropower, which now accounts for about eight per cent of
electricity generated, will increase its share to 17 per cent, he said.

On water, Chin said traditional water sources are being threatened by
pollution due to development encroachment.

While ground water has been touted as an alternative, it is not sustainable
and disrupts geological structures and soluble minerals make treatment more
costly, hence the importance of harvesting rainwater, especially for non-potable
purposes, he said.

Chin said the government is contemplating appropriate mechanism including
fiscal mechanism to promote the culture of rainwater harvesting.

Malaysia is also finalising its national sewerage policy and master plan for
implementation, he added.
-- BERNAMA