Fadillah highlights need for stable energy grid in Malaysia, points to Spain and Portugal's energy woes
KUCHING, May 5 — Malaysia must learn to focus on renewable energy implementation to avoid facing large-scale energy crises like those occurring in Spain and Portugal.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said Malaysia needs to ensure electricity supply security, particularly in Peninsular Malaysia states with insufficient hydro energy resources.
'In the Peninsula, there's still turmoil about ensuring electricity supply security because there's insufficient water supply, and they rely heavily on solar energy which only lasts four to eight hours.
'This is a challenge that even Europe faces — Spain and Portugal encountered problems due to transmission line instability,' he said during his speech at the 2025 Aidilfitri gathering organised by the Bintangor and Haji Taha Mosque Brotherhood (MBHT) Kuching last night.
Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said that in Sarawak's context, discussions with Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will be held to ensure grid stability in the state, thereby attracting investors. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Firm gets RM326mil for measures to reduce non-revenue water
(Front row) Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (third from right), Adam Saffian (fourth from right), Air Selangor NRW head Kelvin Siew (second from left) with other VIPs and guests during the incentive presentation ceremony. Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) has received a remuneration incentive of RM326mil under the National Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Programme. This was in recognition of its consistent and effective efforts in reducing the NRW rate for the 2023 assessment year. Air Selangor is the main water utility provider in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor. It is also the largest water services provider in the country. The company began NRW reduction activities in-house in 2017 when it reduced the NRW level to 33.2%. In 2023, it recorded a reduction in the NRW level to 27.7%. This achievement also exceeded the NRW Matching Grant target of 28.5% set by National Water Services Commission (SPAN). This government grant is an incentive to support water service providers in achieving the NRW reduction targets set by SPAN. Air Selangor achieved the reduction thanks to several internal initiatives carried out since 2017. Among these were the launch of the 'Report Leaks' campaign which encouraged the public to identify and promptly report water leaks. This saw 95,811 public-reported leaks successfully repaired between August 2023 and March 2025. Last year, Air Selangor increased the number of Leak Inspectors from 187 to 210, leading to the detection of more than 160,000 leak cases across its pipe network. The company also implemented the 'Active Leakage Control Programme' which added 100 district metering zones annually, with the aim of achieving 80% coverage by 2028. Additionally, a 'Pipe Replacement Programme' and pressure management measures have contributed to a reduction in the Pipe Burst Index of 3.25 pipe bursts per 100km, compared to the global benchmark of 13 bursts per 100km. Air Selangor also introduced 20 pressure management zones annually. This helped to reduce excessive pressure in the system, lowering risk of leaks and pipe bursts. To detect leaks within the reticulation pipe system, the company uses a permanent monitoring system. Called the' Leak Noise Correlating Logger', it enables repair actions as soon as data shows a leak. The use of 'Pressure Transient' technology on main pipes was started to enable earlier leak detection, allowing fast repair works aimed at preventing water supply disruptions. This technology is also used by water operators in Singapore, Australia and the United Arab Emirates. Air Selangor also reports less commercial losses, including customer meter replacements and enforcement actions against illegal connections. Air Selangor chief executive officer Adam Saffian Ghazali said the incentive payout was the fourth under the National NRW Programme. 'We are truly honoured by this recognition of the efforts we have undertaken. 'Air Selangor will continue to strengthen our NRW reduction initiatives to enhance operational efficiency for the benefit of 9.62 million consumers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. 'Moving forward, Air Selangor will work towards achieving its NRW reduction target of 25% by 2030,' said Adam Saffian. Air Selangor also urges the public to promptly report incidents of leaking or burst pipes, illegal pipe connections, or meter manipulations. They can do so via Air Selangor 2.0 mobile app, Air Selangor's official social media channels, or
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Almost RM800mil in loans for water projects
For the sacrificial feast: Fadillah (right) cutting up meat during a Program Ibadah Korban at Kampung Tupong Jaya, Kuching, in conjunction with Aidiladha. — Bernama KUCHING: A total of RM796.4mil in loans were provided to state governments this year to finance water supply projects, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. The Deputy Prime Minister said the projects were among the Federal Government's measures to mitigate the impact of the south-west monsoon which is expected to bring dry weather and potential drought. He said as of May, 28 projects under the initiative were already underway, with 12 in Sabah, two each in Kedah and Perlis, one in Kelantan, three each in Pahang and Terengganu, and five in Sarawak. 'The projects are at various stages of completion. Some are under implementation and seven are expected to be completed this year,' he told reporters after attending a Hari Raya Aidiladha event at Kampung Tupong Jaya here yesterday, Bernama reported. Fadillah, who is Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said the ministry is also focusing on resolving the issue of non-revenue water (NRW). He said NRW was caused by various factors such as system inefficiencies, pipe leakages, and water theft. 'When pipe connections are poorly installed, leakages happen. There are also old pipes that have started leaking. 'Overall, we estimate that the country loses 40% of its treated water. This incurs high costs. So our priority is to identify methods to reassess the piping systems and replace damaged pipes,' he added.
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Ensure fairness, union urges Petronas ahead of job cuts
Petronas workers seen on an offshore platform in a file photo. The company has recently announced job cuts affecting more than 5,000 people. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Petronas workers' union has urged the company to ensure transparency and fairness as it seeks to reduce its workforce by 10% in a company-wide restructuring exercise. The Sarawak branch of the union said the layoffs would naturally affect the livelihoods of workers, especially those stationed in Bintulu and Miri, as the cost of living is rising in those two areas specifically. 'The oil and gas industry's workforce faces a challenging environment, with long hours, remote deployments, and job instability,' the union said in a statement. 'Concerns about wage inequalities between local and international employees, as well as growing living costs, add to the financial and emotional strain on workers,' it said, according to Dayak Daily. The union said it will seek to protect the rights and welfare of the over 2,000 workers it represents by advocating for reskilling and equitable compensation for affected employees. On Thursday, Petronas president and group CEO Tengku Muhammad Taufik Aziz said the restructuring exercise was aimed at reducing costs due to falling crude prices. He said Petronas expects to reduce its headcount by more than 5,000 people and freeze hiring until December 2026. Deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof later said Petronas's restructuring exercise was due to global challenges and was not linked to its dispute with Sarawak's state-owned gas aggregator, Petroleum Sarawak Bhd.
