SEDA Malaysia: Taking the Green Road

   

 I go a really long way with SEDA Malaysia; it started back in October 2013 when bloggers were gathered at Berjaya Times Square Hotels and Resorts on 20^th October for SEDA Malaysia Open Day Bloggers Workshop. It was the first time that we sat face to face and were given explanation on sustainable energy measures and energy efficiency effort in Malaysia and how they are being implemented. We had almost zero knowledge about those things but SEDA Malaysia officers helped us to disseminate information and how we go about educating the public about it. I agreed to be a part of this mainly because I am an environmentalist myself and I feel the need to be responsible to the Mother Earth. In fact, I would want more people to be in the know and at least they want to make some changes in daily activities. You can refer to this link for further information.

    Things get more exciting when SEDA Malaysia invited the bloggers for a field trip to Fortune 11 Solar Farm in Sepang Selangor. We were given explanation on how solar energy is garnered from sun rays and how the solar farm works. It was impressive to be on site and to see with our own eyes the vast area of solar farm that surely benefits the environment and the company itself. Imagine getting near to those solar PV panels that we only see on television or the internet and the opportunity to ask questions for further clarification from the person in-charge.  I truly enjoyed the field trip because I gained beneficial knowledge about solar power and its importance for the country’s renewable energy growth. You can click this link for further reading.

    On the same day, the bloggers were brought to Negeri Sembilan to visit the Malaysia Palm Oil Mill Technology Centre (POMTECH) in Labu. We witnessed the development of biogas and biomass energy resources in order to fully utilize the energy generated from tree parts, excess fruits or empty fruit branches. What is more impressive was to see heavy machineries and big lorries carrying those resources to be processed in the mill in order for renewable energy generation to happen. It gave me an impression that Malaysia is getting ready to become a modern and developed country by the year 2020. The visit to the palm oil mill made me feel secure because I know that the country is no longer depending on fossil fuels and I really hope that the development will continue. Please go to this link if you want to find out more about the visit.

Source: www.cooltek.org

    On the 18^th of January 2014, bloggers were brought to Melaka to visit Stephanie Mary Bacon’s cool house, COOLTEK Home. The house is a model of an energy efficient residential building that applies almost all of energy efficient measure and sustainable energy effort. It is a house that generates electricity and Stephanie has been making money by selling the energy generated to Tenaga Nasional Berhad. She has been earning a steady passive income ever since she applies for and implemented the Feed-in Tariff measurements at her home. It was interesting to learn that the house is specifically built according to “green” specification whereby the use of electricity is lesser than conventional houses in Malaysia. The trip to her house showed me that an energy efficient house does exist and it can happen if each one of us is willing to take part. You can log on to this link if you want to find out more about COOLTEK Home.

Source: www.auosunpower.com

    Then, we visited AUO Sunpower Sdn. Bhd. in Alor Gajah Melaka to visit 40 acres of land occupied by world leader of solar cell manufacturing. The company is one of the biggest supporters of renewable energy and energy efficiency effort in the country and worldwide with manufacturing and exportation of solar cells to be assembled as solar panels. With 2,000 and more job opportunities provided by the company to the locals in Malaysia, I am surely mesmerized with their concern to the economy of the people working with them and also towards the country. This is what we are looking for in future; better work opportunities and its beneficial effects to the surrounding. Please refer to this link if you want to have further reading okay.

    The last pit stop was at Kumpulan Melaka Berhad Solar Farm, the first state government to own and operate its own solar farm facilities in the country and I can tell you that they are reaping the benefits. With the large area of solar farm, Melaka is serious about becoming the first green technology state by the year 2020, leaving most other states far behind. This is a great effort taken by Chief Minister Incorporated, the owner of the solar farm to venture into green investments that benefits the company. You can read more of this solar farm by clicking this link.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

    All of these field trips could not happen without the effort taken by SEDA Malaysia in providing better dissemination of knowledge to the bloggers. The knowledge will then be shared to the public for all of you to understand better of SEDA Malaysia roles and importance in the country. SEDA Malaysia is the implementer of Feed-in Tariff program for development of renewable energy in Malaysia.

    Malaysia’s Feed-in Tariff system requires the Distribution Licensees (DLs) such as TenagaNasionalBerhad and NUR Distribution Sdn. Bhd. (NUR) with this year’s addition of Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd (SESB) to buy from renewable energy producers the electricity produced by them. FiT rates are set by SEDA Malaysia with approval from KeTTHA to pay for the renewable energy supplied to the electricity grid for a specific duration.

    By having access to the grid and setting a favorable price per unit of renewable energy, the FiT mechanism also ensures that renewable energy becomes a viable and sound long-term investment for companies, industries and individuals. This can happen very easily if consumers are registered under SEDA Malaysia as one of the producers of renewable energy through solar panels, small hydro power, biomass and biogas at their homes or private lands.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

    The Cabinet has also agreed for the surcharge on consumers’ electricity bills that has been gazetted and collected from consumers. 1% surcharge is needed to achieve the target capacity of renewable energy in the long run. As of 2013, 1% surcharge was imposed on all electricity customers and domestic electricity consumers are obliged to contribute to the surcharge only if their monthly electricity consumption exceeds 300 kWh or RM 77 a month.

    This money is channelled into the Renewable Energy Fund and administered by SEDA Malaysia to pay the premium Feed-in Tariff rate to those producers who generate electricity from renewable resources at homes or in industrial companies. However, as of January 2014, this surcharge increases by 0.6% to be 1.6 % for current electricity users. This increase will also affect the consumers in Sabah and Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan as they are charged with 1.6% of their electricity bills for the first timeRM69.00 above.Please refer to www.seda.gov.my for more news and information about this tariff. Thank you everyone for reading, take care and God bless you!

Source: www.seda.gov.my

SEDA Malaysia: Quota Application Process

Source: www.seda.gov.my

 Hello everyone! Today I would like to write about the quota application process for solar PV for the individuals with the new queue system (NQS) in e-FiTsystem, in the interest of transparency and better opportunity for all house owners to apply for solar  photovoltaic (PV). Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA Malaysia) introduces the online e-FiT (Feed-in Tariff) with the New Queue System for applications rolling in from 4 PM on May 2^nd, 2014 until 5 PM on May 12^th, 2014. There is a total 8 MW quota for solar PV being made available in 2014 for projects targeted to achieve commercial operation by the end of 2014. House owners with landed, residential properties in Sabah, Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan and Peninsular Malaysia are eligible to apply. The applications must be made by registered solar PV service providers on behalf of interested home owners and solar PV service providers must be registered with SEDA.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

    The application is to be done  via the online system, e-FiT with New Queue System open for application from May 2^nd 2014 at 4 PM until May 12^th at 5 PM. Under the e-Fit with New Quota System, applicants via their appointed solar PV providers are required to pay a processing free of RM 100 via credit card upon submission of the applications. After the closing date on May 12^th, SEDA Malaysia will screen the applications for compliance. Applications which pass through the screening process will be able to proceed to the next stage of securing a queue number. On May 19^th between 10 AM and 5 PM, the appointed solar PV service providers will log into the e-FiT with New Quota System to secure a queue number for their client’s application.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

    This new system is introduced to reduce processing time, as experienced with the previous e-FiT online system. The heavy traffic has resulted in applicants having difficulties in accessing the system. The e-FiT with NQS allows all applicants to submit their applications and SEDA Malaysia will process all applications. The system will assign the quota to the successful applicants based on their queue number until quota is exhausted. This process will reduce heavy processing time out-front, while quota is allotted at the back-end. The criteria for applications remain the same and they are as listed below:

i. Each applicant could only apply a maximum of 12 kW per residential unit (address) and each applicant is limited to a maximum capacity of two applications.

ii. The application is only valid for installations on a residential unit under the individual’s name.

iii. Under the ultimate shareholding criteria, the applicant cannot exceed a total shareholding of 5 MW of installed capacity of solar PV.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

    The applicants who are successful in the screening process will be notified by SEDA Malaysia via email so that their appointed solar PV service provider can obtain their queue number between 10 AM and 5 PM on May 19, 2014. The queue number will be issued through the e-FiT with NQS on a first-come-first-serve basis. A step-by-step guide or online tutorial is downloadable from SEDA Malaysia’s website, www.seda.gov.my. The guide features screenshots of the various stages of application and would be some assistance to applicants. The quota for individual solar PV applicants will be assigned commencing May 20^th, and successful FiA applicants will be notified by email for them to pay the application fee and submit the signed declaration form.

    If there are not enough quota for applicants even though they have secured a queue number, they will move up the queue and the chances of securing quota in the future are improved for each opening of quota as they move closer to the top of the queue. If the solar PV system fails to achieve commercial operation by the end of this year, you need to appeal to SEDA Malaysia in writing and provide justifications for extension of time. While SEDA Malaysia may grant an extension of time, the FiT rate will degress by 10% if commercial operation does not commence by December 21^st, 2014.

    SEDA Malaysia is the implementer of Feed-in Tariff program for development of renewable energy in Malaysia.Malaysia’s Feed-in Tariff system requires the Distribution Licensees (DLs) such as Tenaga Nasional Berhad and NUR Distribution Sdn. Bhd. (NUR) and Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd (SESB). FiT rates are set by SEDA Malaysia with approval from KeTTHA. As of 2013, 1% surcharge was imposed to all electricity customers and domestic electricity consumers are obliged to contribute to the surcharge only if their monthly electricity consumption exceeds 300 kWh or RM 77 a month. This money is channelled into the Renewable Energy Fund (KWTBB). However, as of January 2014, the surcharge increased to 1.6 and this increase also affected the consumers in Sabah and Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan as they are charged with 1.6% of their electricity bills for the first time from RM69.00 above.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

    For more information on FiT mechanism such as the guidelines, rules and regulations or the step-by-step guide on this application, please refer to SEDA Malaysia’s website or visit their offices at these addresses:

1) SEDA Malaysia Headquarter

GaleriaPjH,

Aras 9, Jalan P4W,

PersiaranPerdana, Presint 4,

62100, Putrajaya Malaysia.

Office    : (03) 8870 5800

Email     : quota_release@seda.gov.my

Website   : www.seda.gov.my

2) SEDA Malaysia Low Energy Office

Likas Square Commercial Centre,

Unit 32, Level 1,

LorongLikas Square,

JalanIstiadatLikas,

88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Office    : (088) 252 101 / 251 462

Please support sustainable energy and energy efficiency promoted by SEDA Malaysia by spreading this news to everyone. That is all for today, take care and God bless!

SEDA Malaysia: Opening of Renewable Energy Quota

Source: www.seda.gov.my

On Monday, 28^th of April 2014, Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA Malaysia) announced a reminder for those who are interested to apply for the Feed-in Approval (FiA) for renewable energy quota for projects located in Sabah and Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan. SEDA Malaysia is the implementer of Feed-in Tariff program for Renewable Energy Development in Malaysia and it has recently set up its Sabah branch at Likas Square Commercial Centre, Kota Kinabalu to provide additional support for renewable energy projects in Sabah and Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan. You can click this link for more information on SEDA Low Energy Office (SEDA LEO) in Sabah and find out about its green energy features.

Source: legalandprudent.blogspot.com/2013/06/head-i-win-tail-you-lose.html

According to the announcement made by Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA), YB Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili on 22^nd of April 2014, 2 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) with capacity up to 12 kW per application will be allocated for the individuals whereas 5 MW for the non-individuals (with capacity above 425 kW up to 1 MW per application) for projects in Sabah and Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan. These solar PV quotas are intended for projects that will achieve commercial operation by the end of this year. There is also a separate quota allocation of 5 MW solar PV for the community of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan. The limit per application for Community Solar PV Quota is capped at 200 kW. There are three types of institutions eligible under the Community Solar PV Quota and they are:

i) Institutions of public education level such as primary school, secondary school and missionary or independent schools (non-profit).

ii) Places of worships (registered with religious authority or local authority approval such as mosques, churches and temples.

iii) Registered welfare homes such as orphanages, nursing homes, disable children’s homes and old folk’s homes.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

    SEDA Malaysia would like to remind that the solar PV quota for the individuals in Sabah and Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan will be made available from 7 AM until 2 PM on 2^nd of May 2014 using the e-FiT online system. The system will immediately pre-allocate quota upon fulfilment of the online requirements. Commencing 4 PM on 2^nd of May 2014, solar PV individual quota applications for projects in Sabah and Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan could still be submitted via the e-Fit online system. 

Source: www.seda.gov.my

Source: www.seda.gov.my

    This is a new method called the e-FiT with New Queue System. In this method of application, the system will go through a new queuing system and solar PV service providers are required to secure a queue number in the e-FiT online system on the 19^th of May 2014 starting from 10 AM until 5 PM. The quota will be allocated by the queue number assigned to each applicant. The table in the following page provides a schedule of FiT quota release for various RE resources and application methodologies for different regions.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

    The application Feed-in Approval by interested local community or industry players in Sabah and Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan will definitely help to promote sustainable energy and energy efficiency measures in the country. Malaysia’s Feed-in Tariff system requires the Distribution Licensees (DLs) such as Tenaga Nasional Berhad and NUR Distribution Sdn. Bhd. (NUR) and Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd (SESB) to buy from renewable energy producers the electricity produced by them. As of 2013, 1% surcharge was imposed on all electricity customers and domestic electricity consumers are obliged to contribute to the surcharge only if their monthly electricity consumption exceeds 300 kWh or RM 77 a month. 

    This money is channelled into the Renewable Energy Fund (KWTBB) and administered by SEDA Malaysia. However, as of January 2014, the surcharge increased to 1.6 % and this increase also affected the consumers in Sabah and Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan as they are charged with 1.6% of their electricity bills for the first time from RM69.00 above. Please refer to www.seda.gov.my for more news and information about this tariff. Thank you everyone for reading, take care and God bless you!

SEDA Malaysia: Low Energy Office (SEDA LEO), Sabah

Source: www.seda.gov.my    

    Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia or SEDA Malaysia is serious about renewable energy and energy efficiency effort in the country. As the implementer of Feed-in Tariff program for Renewable Energy Development in Malaysia, SEDA has opened the first retrofitted energy efficient government office in Sabah which demonstrates integration of energy efficient measures and optimization to achieve cost-effective energy efficient solutions. Located at Likas Square Commercial Centre, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah this office has the potential to achieve more than 40% energy savings on lighting and equipment compared to conventional air-conditioned office building.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

    With a space of 1,182 square feet, the office known as SEDA Malaysia Low Energy Office (SEDA LEO) becomes the trendsetter of energy efficiency prospects in Eastern Malaysia. SEDA LEO is the exhibition platform for best practices and appropriate technologies in efficient energy use and it aims to become a reference for state government agencies, developers, contractors and building services professionals to design energy efficient buildings. SEDA LEO represents SEDA Malaysia’s commitment and continuous effort to push for sustainable energy sector especially with a wider segment in Sabah. SEDA Malaysia is committed to lead the way by providing examples on sustainable energy practices and to share the knowledge on energy efficiency concept for building services in Sabah. Here are the energy efficient features of SEDA LEO :

Source: www.seda.gov.my

1) Building Orientation:

-The office has a correct orientation as the windows are facing north and there is low heat gained from the sun light.

2) Natural Day Lighting and Glazing:

-Large window area and the glazing is clear glass which allows ample diffuse daylight into the building and serves as a primary source of lighting to save energy.

-Daylight is also much cooler than the direct sunlight, thereby avoiding increased cooling load and avoiding excessive glare.

3) Energy Efficient Interior Design:

-The interior of the office is painted with light color which helps to promote better reflection of light and less dependency on artificial lighting.

-Work desk orientation is parallel with the windows to avoid or minimize glare problems.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

4) Space Planning:

-Frequently-used working area such as officer’s work stations are located near the windows to fully utilized daylight and save energy.

-Areas such as meeting room, store and ICT services room are positioned at the inner part of the office.

-The layout provides more conducive environment to improve motivation and reduce stress at the same time.

5) Efficient Distribution of Cooling System:

-The ducting for distribution of cooling system was revamped in the office to prepare a balanced and efficient air conditioning distribution for the human comfort.

6) Energy Efficient Lighting System:

-High efficiency lighting T5 fluorescent tube with electronic ballast and LED lights are used with innovative lighting control.

-Lighting intensity level design is according to MS1525:2007 Code of Practise Use of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy for Non-residential Buildings (300-400 lux level for office).

-Lighting power density is within 5-6 Watt compared with conventional design 12-20 Watt.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

7) Intelligent Lighting System Controller:

-Combination of photocell sensors and occupancy sensor automatically control lighting switches when areas are not occupied.

-Day light photocell sensors (day light system) is deployed at the perimeter of the room to control switching of the light fitting for the purpose of energy savings.

8) Energy Efficient Office Equipments:

-The equipments used at SEDA LEO provide energy saving and improved working condition as compared to conventional equipments.

-Some examples are 5-star rated energy efficient appliances such as laptops to reduce electricity consumption and operational cost of SEDA LEO.

9) Online Energy and Power Monitoring System:

-The system provides a platform to monitor and record the total energy consumption of lighting system, office appliances and general equipment.

-The total energy recorded is displayed in real-time and in situ, additionally these data can be remotely accessed via the internet.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

10) Low Energy ICT Network System:

-The office fully deploys wireless network technology for integrated low energy ICT system.

    Estimated annual energy saving is 9,660 kWh which accounted about RM 3,800 annually with payback period of 3.4 years can be gained by SEDA LEO. However, additional 6.8% of the capital cost of retrofitting the office is required but the contribution to the environment is truly priceless. You can visit SEDA LEO office and experience these features yourself and perhaps, you can talk to the person-in charge as well if you are interested in retrofitting your own energy efficient building. Let us revisit SEDA Malaysia roles in implementing the FiT-in Tariff as part of the sustainable energy and energy efficiency effort in the country as taken from www.seda.gov.my.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

    Malaysia’s Feed-in Tariff system requires the Distribution Licensees (DLs) such as Tenaga Nasional Berhad and NUR Distribution Sdn. Bhd. (NUR) with this year’s addition of Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd (SESB) to buy electricity from independent renewable energy producers. FiT rates are set by SEDA Malaysia with approval from KeTTHA.By having access to the grid and setting a favorable price per unit of renewable energy, the FiT mechanism also ensures that renewable energy becomes a viable and sound long-term investment for companies, industries and individuals. This can happen  easily if consumers are registered under SEDA Malaysia as one of the producers of renewable energy through solar PV, small hydro power, biomass and biogas at their homes or private lands.

    The Cabinet has also agreed for the surcharge on consumers’ electricity bills that has been gazetted and collected from consumers. 1% surcharge is needed to achieve the target capacity of renewable energy in the long run. As of 2013, 1% surcharge was imposed on all electricity customers and domestic electricity consumers are obliged to contribute to the surcharge only if their monthly electricity consumption exceeds 300 kWh or RM 77 a month.

Source: www.nusolar.com.my/images/leftpic-fitseda.jpg

    This money is channelled into the Renewable Energy Fund (KWTBB) and administered by SEDA Malaysia to pay the premium Feed-in Tariff rate to those producers who generate electricity from renewable resources at homes or in industrial companies. However, as of January 2014, this surcharge has been increased to  1.6 % . This increase will also affect the consumers in Sabah and Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan as they are charged with 1.6% of their electricity bills for the first time from RM69.00 above. Please refer to www.seda.gov.my for more news and information about this tariff. Thank you everyone for reading, take care and God bless you!