The budget 2010 is indeed a shot in the arm for my Ministry’s efforts to promote green technology.
excerpts of the Budget 2010 concerning the Ministry as tabled by YAB Prime Minister on 23rd October 2009 @ Parliament House
Monthly Archive for October, 2009
I just came away from a seminar on green building technology.
I cant help thinking that there is so much that the ordinary house buyer can do to make sure that he/she buys a house that has at least some green features.
As the buyer, he/she can call the shots on such matters by choosing to buy only low carbon footprints houses.
Do take a second or two to this over!
While visiting the Three Gorges Dam in YiChang, Hobei Province, China it is quite noticeable that a lot of efforts were taken to ensure that the resettlement processes created an amiable atmosphere for people affected by the flood waters and ensuring the sustainable livelihood for these settlers.
Of course, the scale and numbers are entirely different to our Malaysian efforts but it is the care and details that impressed me when I went around the flooded areas in a boat close to the dam itself.
The Three Gorges Dam is being turned into a tourist destination with hundreds visiting each day!
Like many other countries in this world, Malaysia has not many choices of fuel that can be used for the generation of electricity.
At present, the fuel that overwhelmingly dominates others is fossil fuel either in the form of gas, coal or oil.
In fact, 91% of our power comes from power plants which depend on the fossil fuel while hydro plants contribute only about 8% and the rest is contributed by renewable energy plants.
Even if we classify hydro electricity as renewable energy, the fuel mix is imbalanced especially when the prices of fossil fuels remain high and do not seem to come down.
Thus, this situation warrants a long and hard look at the possibility of Malaysia resorting to the use of nuclear power to produce electricity.
It is a cheaper fuel even now when compared to all the other fuel sources including hydro when all angles are factored into the equation.
Question here is: Can Malaysia afford not to take the use of nuclear power for the generation of electricity seriously?
As we all know, developed countries such as Japan, South Korea, France, United States and even China have been using nuclear energy for many years and they have gained considerable advantages by going the “nuclear way”.
Malaysia must start thinking about this issue now since it can take up to 10 years to start the processes and leading to the eventual power generation.
Sincerely, wishing all my Hindus Friends as well as all Malaysians;
“A VERY HAPPY, BLESSED AND JOYOUS DEEPAVALI”
I led a delegation to Seoul, South Korea and on Oct 13th 2009 morning, my program took me to visit a waste water treatment plant [Repshia Water Treatment Plant], in surviving medium -size community of half a million.
Using the latest technology the plant is an example of what can be done when a community willingly embraces latest technology to provide a better and more healthy living conditions.
In Malaysia, the need for central sewerage treatment systems for the bigger cities and towns is not only needed but on a ASAP basis.
I like to call for a change in attitude from our communities so as to facilitate the Government to implement waste-water projects which are environmentally sound and using the latest green technologies.
We do need a change!
How many of us take into account the scale and magnitude that come with the supply of electricity to our homes, our factories, shops, etc?
And I am not refering to our own locations but throughout the lenght and width of our country!
Yet we expect unfailing and continous supply of electricity.
The task is hugh and requires equally hugh human and financial resources.
Is it any wonder that once in a while breakdowns/interruptions do occur?
I was reading a report by TNB recently and was struck by the wide variety of matters that can cause such disruptions!
Of course nobody wants such unpleasantness to happen frequently or even regularly!
All I am saying is that we can be more understanding when the next interruption in our electricity supply actually happen to our situations wherever we maybe located in this beloved country of ours.
By the way I do read the complaint letters that had been forwarded to me and I can assure readers that each and everyone will be acted upon.
My ministry is celebrating energy month in November and you are invited to join in the events that have been lined up.
Do visit my ministry’s website.
all photos courtesy of TNB
on 1st-2nd October 2009, I led my senior officials from the Ministry for two days working visit to a gas-fired power plant and a coal-fired power plant as well as an Argentinian-owned engineering plant, all being located in Lumut, Perak.
These power plants are good examples of the types of power generation plants in the country.
We depend heavily on fossil fuel based power plants and the way forward is to try and diversify the power mixed on a wider fuel types.
However, it is easier said than done.
But do we have choice?
Do let know what are your views?
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