The government has set an ambitious goal of a five per cent annual growth for the oil, gas and energy sectors in the decade from 2010 to 2020, against a backdrop of the natural two per cent decline in oil and gas production.
The target translates into an increase of RM131.4 billion for the period from 2010 to 2020.
"Beyond economic growth in this decade, the oil, gas and energy sectors are also responsible for building a sustainable energy platform for the people and business, in this decade and into the future," the government said at the launch of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) : A Road Map for Malaysia, here today.
The Roadmap was launched by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
A total of 12 entry point projects (EPP) as well as two-business opportunities within the oil, gas and energy sector have been identified. Oil, gas and energy are among the important National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs).
The EPPs will contribute RM47.1 billion to Gross National Income (GNI) to meet 2020 targets.
An additional RM61.2 billion will come from business opportunities and baseline growth.
Thus, the NKEA expects to deliver a RM131.4 billion GNI impact and create an additional 52,300 jobs in the oil, gas and energy sectors.
A significant proportion of these will be highly-skilled jobs, with an estimated 21,000 (40 per cent) for qualified professionals such as engineers and geologists, with a monthly salary range of RM5,000-RM10,000.
The government said the incremental GNI includes RM23.1 billion of GNI from the multiplier effect created by the EPPs from other sectors.
The largest sources of the multiplier effect on the oil, gas and energy NKEA are palm oil, tourism and electronics and electrical NKEAs, for example, an increase in usage of energy due to an increase in tourists visiting Malaysia.
To achieve the target, the government and the oil, gas and energy sectors will focus on four thrusts, namely, sustaining oil and gas production, enhancing downstream growth, making Malaysia the number one Asian hub for oil field services and building a sustainable energy platform for growth.
The third thrust is about leveraging the nation’s strategic location at the centre of the Asia Pacific region and adjacent to international shipping lanes.
The EPP for this thrust includes attracting Multinational Companies to bring sizeable shares of their global operations to Malaysia.
As for the fourth thrust, it includes initiatives aimed at ensuring energy security for Malaysia as the nation strives for growth towards becoming a high income economy.
"This also involves reducing the reliance on fossil fuels while growing the power generation capacity," said the government. –- BERNAMA
Read more: ETP: Energy sectors to grow 5pc a year http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20101025154753/Article/index_html#ixzz13NY89BgU
Monday, October 25, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Hybrid cars to be more affordable by 2011
The prices of hybrid cars are expected to be more attractive next year to boost sales after Budget 2011 announcement of duty exemptions for the cars below 2,000 cc until Dec 31, 2011.
President of Malaysian Automotive Association, Datuk Aishah Ahmad, said currently, hybrid cars in Malaysia were expensive where fewer than 300 cars had been sold.
"The prices will definitely go down next year. At the moment, the industry players are doing the pricing," she told a media briefing after the launch of KL International Motor Show 2010's (KLIMS'10) advertising and promotional campaign here today.
The campaign, entitled 'We Care', was launched by Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.
Aishah said the granting of a manufacturing plant licence to Berjaya Corp Bhd by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry for the assembly of commercial vehicles, hybrid cars, electric cars and luxury passenger vehicles was a good sign for Malaysia's motor vehicle industry.
"This may attract more investors to come to Malaysia and it will be a good opportunity for the industry," she said.
KLIMS'10, which will be held from Dec 3-12 this year, is expected to attract 330,000 visitors and tourists. The event will be held at Putra World Trade Centre. -- Bernama
Read more: Hybrid cars to be more affordable by 2011 http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20101021165224/Article/index_html#ixzz12zlOnETv
President of Malaysian Automotive Association, Datuk Aishah Ahmad, said currently, hybrid cars in Malaysia were expensive where fewer than 300 cars had been sold.
"The prices will definitely go down next year. At the moment, the industry players are doing the pricing," she told a media briefing after the launch of KL International Motor Show 2010's (KLIMS'10) advertising and promotional campaign here today.
The campaign, entitled 'We Care', was launched by Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.
Aishah said the granting of a manufacturing plant licence to Berjaya Corp Bhd by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry for the assembly of commercial vehicles, hybrid cars, electric cars and luxury passenger vehicles was a good sign for Malaysia's motor vehicle industry.
"This may attract more investors to come to Malaysia and it will be a good opportunity for the industry," she said.
KLIMS'10, which will be held from Dec 3-12 this year, is expected to attract 330,000 visitors and tourists. The event will be held at Putra World Trade Centre. -- Bernama
Read more: Hybrid cars to be more affordable by 2011 http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20101021165224/Article/index_html#ixzz12zlOnETv
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Renewable Energy Act in effect by H1 2011
source : Business Times
The bill on the Renewable Energy Act is expected to be tabled in Parliament before year-end, with the Act coming into force by June next year.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry's Undersecretary of the Sustainable Energy Division, Badriyah Abdul Malek, said the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) mechanism is therefore expected to be implemented at the same time.
FiT is a mechanism that allows electricity produced from indigenous renewable energy resources to be sold to power utilities at a fixed premium price and for specific duration.
"The bill is now completed and submitted to the Attorney-General. So we expect the bill to be tabled for first reading between the October and December session," she told reporters after the Investment Opportunities in Renewable Energy Seminar and Dialogue with Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in Kota Kinabalu today.
"At the same time, we will also table the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Bill, which is to institute the establishment of SEDA Malaysia, the authority to spearhead renewable energy development in Malaysia," Badriyah said.
"We expect the second and third reading in March, and the Act enforced probably in May or June next year, so the FiT will also come on board in May or June 2011," she said.
The bill on the Renewable Energy Act is expected to be tabled in Parliament before year-end, with the Act coming into force by June next year.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry's Undersecretary of the Sustainable Energy Division, Badriyah Abdul Malek, said the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) mechanism is therefore expected to be implemented at the same time.
FiT is a mechanism that allows electricity produced from indigenous renewable energy resources to be sold to power utilities at a fixed premium price and for specific duration.
"The bill is now completed and submitted to the Attorney-General. So we expect the bill to be tabled for first reading between the October and December session," she told reporters after the Investment Opportunities in Renewable Energy Seminar and Dialogue with Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in Kota Kinabalu today.
"At the same time, we will also table the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Bill, which is to institute the establishment of SEDA Malaysia, the authority to spearhead renewable energy development in Malaysia," Badriyah said.
"We expect the second and third reading in March, and the Act enforced probably in May or June next year, so the FiT will also come on board in May or June 2011," she said.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Govt in talks with Proton to supply hybrid cars to its officials
Govt in talks with Proton to supply hybrid cars to its officials
source :By STEPHEN THEN -The star
stephenthen@thestar.com.my
MIRI: Government officials will soon be provided with hybrid electric cars in another effort to go green.
The Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry is now in discussions with Proton Holdings Bhd to replace the current fleet of government vehicles with hybrid cars, said its minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin.
“If we really want to see the country go green, the Government must take the lead and show by example. We cannot keep telling the people and the private sector to go green if we do not do the same,” he told The Star yesterday, explaining the rationale behind the change.
A hybrid vehicle uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. It combines an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.
Chin said vehicles using electric engines could save up to 40% of fuel and also drastically cut down on carbon emission.
source :By STEPHEN THEN -The star
stephenthen@thestar.com.my
MIRI: Government officials will soon be provided with hybrid electric cars in another effort to go green.
The Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry is now in discussions with Proton Holdings Bhd to replace the current fleet of government vehicles with hybrid cars, said its minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin.
“If we really want to see the country go green, the Government must take the lead and show by example. We cannot keep telling the people and the private sector to go green if we do not do the same,” he told The Star yesterday, explaining the rationale behind the change.
A hybrid vehicle uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. It combines an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.
Chin said vehicles using electric engines could save up to 40% of fuel and also drastically cut down on carbon emission.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Implementing the Feed-in-Tariff mechanism
source : The Star
Implementing the Feed-in-Tariff mechanism
KUALA LUMPUR: Although details are yet to be available, analysts speculate consumers may pay more for their electricity bills with the implementation of the feed-in-tariff mechanism under the Renewable Energy Act.
The Government announced that it will implement the Feed-in-Tariff mechanism under the Renewable Energy Act, to allow electricity generated from renewable energy by individuals and independent providers to be sold to electricity utility companies.
The Feed-in-Tariff forms part of the Act that is expected be tabled before the Parliament next month. It is part of the Government’s plan to boost renewable energy contribution to Malaysia’s electricity-generation mix from less than 1% in 2009 to around 5.5% by 2015 and to 11% of all electricity generated nationwide in 2020.
“The national utility would be obliged to buy renewable electricity at above-market rates set by the Government over a specific period of time from the day the system is connected to the grid,’’ an analyst said.
‘’The utility would be authorised to pass on this cost to all electricity consumers through their regular electricity bills.’’
OSK Research head Chris Eng said certainly, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) would not want to pay and the higher tariff would probably be passed on to the consumer. It would probably be cost-neutral to TNB as higher fees collected would be utilised by the national utility company to pay producers who uses renewable energy to produce electricity.
To a question, Eng said consumers may need to pay an additional 1% to 3% more for electricity.
Implementing the Feed-in-Tariff mechanism
KUALA LUMPUR: Although details are yet to be available, analysts speculate consumers may pay more for their electricity bills with the implementation of the feed-in-tariff mechanism under the Renewable Energy Act.
The Government announced that it will implement the Feed-in-Tariff mechanism under the Renewable Energy Act, to allow electricity generated from renewable energy by individuals and independent providers to be sold to electricity utility companies.
The Feed-in-Tariff forms part of the Act that is expected be tabled before the Parliament next month. It is part of the Government’s plan to boost renewable energy contribution to Malaysia’s electricity-generation mix from less than 1% in 2009 to around 5.5% by 2015 and to 11% of all electricity generated nationwide in 2020.
“The national utility would be obliged to buy renewable electricity at above-market rates set by the Government over a specific period of time from the day the system is connected to the grid,’’ an analyst said.
‘’The utility would be authorised to pass on this cost to all electricity consumers through their regular electricity bills.’’
OSK Research head Chris Eng said certainly, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) would not want to pay and the higher tariff would probably be passed on to the consumer. It would probably be cost-neutral to TNB as higher fees collected would be utilised by the national utility company to pay producers who uses renewable energy to produce electricity.
To a question, Eng said consumers may need to pay an additional 1% to 3% more for electricity.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Lighten your Footprint while Working from Home
Courtesy: WWF Canada
Lighten your Footprint while Working from Home Help bring the freedom of flexible work arrangements to more workplaces across Canada.
When National Work from Home Day gets 50,000 "likes" on Facebook, Workopolis will donate $10,000 to WWF-Canada.
You can help us get there!If one million Canadians were to work at home just one day each week, in a year Canada would save some 250 million kilograms of CO2 emissions; 100 million litres of fuel; and 800 million fewer kilometres of mileage on our highways and streets. As a side-benefit, we would save some $40 million in fuel costs, and 50 million hours of time, to spend with our families, or on our non-work lives.
Lighten your Footprint while Working from Home Help bring the freedom of flexible work arrangements to more workplaces across Canada.
When National Work from Home Day gets 50,000 "likes" on Facebook, Workopolis will donate $10,000 to WWF-Canada.
You can help us get there!If one million Canadians were to work at home just one day each week, in a year Canada would save some 250 million kilograms of CO2 emissions; 100 million litres of fuel; and 800 million fewer kilometres of mileage on our highways and streets. As a side-benefit, we would save some $40 million in fuel costs, and 50 million hours of time, to spend with our families, or on our non-work lives.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Highlights of PM's Budget 2011 speech (Green Technology Related)
source: The star
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/10/15/budget/20101015160648&sec=budget
The Govt is committed to develop green technology to ensure sustainable development
- Pioneer Status, Investment Tax Allowance for energy generation from renewable sources plus energy efficiency activities extended til 31 December 2015
- Import duty and sales tax exemption on equipment for the generation of energy from renewable sources and energy efficiency to be extended until Dec 31, 2012.
- Import duty and excise duty exemption duty to franchise holders of hybrid cars will be extended until Dec 31, 2011 with excise duty to be given full exemption. This incentive is also extended to electric cars as well as hybrid and electric motorcycles.
- The Govt will implement the Programme on Blending of Biofuels with Petroleum Diesel (B5 Programme) in June 2011
- Government will implement the Feed in Tariff (FiT) mechanism under the Renewable Energy (RE) Act to allow electricity generated from RE by individuals and independent providers to be sold to electricity utility companies.
- For Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy, RM93mil is allocated for facilities
- PPP project: Construction of a 300-megawatt Combined-Cycle Gas Power Plant in Kimanis, Sabah
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/10/15/budget/20101015160648&sec=budget
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Banks say they support green technology
source : The Star
UOB senior veep: Companies need to provide green certification
KUALA LUMPUR: Some banks deny that they are reluctant to provide financing for green technology initiatives and claim that they will lend as long as internal lending guidelines are met and investors are able to secure certification from relevant authorities.
United Overseas Bank (M) Bhd senior vice-president and senior head of bumiputra business banking division Mohd Fhauzi Muridan said: “We treat all customers equally. Any application for financing is assessed according to our internal lending guidelines and applied equally to all customers.
Mohd Fhauzi Muridan ... ‘We treat all customers equally.’
“The only additional criterion for Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) is that companies will need to provide the project certification from the Malaysian Green Technology Corp (MGTC) and the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water,” he told StarBiz.
He said the Government assisted these companies by providing a certain level of financial guarantee that encouraged financial institutions to give them loans, adding that overlaying this, however, was the bank’s lending guidelines when assessing the various risks associated with a loan application.
According to Mohd Fhauzi, UOB Malaysia has its own internal lending guidelines and these guidelines would apply equally to all customers from all industries and sectors. These guidelines, he noted, wereconsistent with best practices and aligned with existing regulatory requirements.
Applicants who had viable project approved by the ministry and able to meet the bank’s lending guidelines would definitely be considered by the bank, he said.
Bernama recently reported that the slow assimilation of green technology in the country was due to the reluctance of banks to provide financing. It cited Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui as saying the resistance stemmed from the assumption by financial institutions that green technology was still new here compared with some other countries.
Chin also felt financial institutions were adopting a wait-and-see attitude instead of taking risks.
He added so far, MGTC had green project certification for 55 projects out of 71 applications, whereby only nine projects had been offered financing and the rest were depending on banks for money.
UOB senior veep: Companies need to provide green certification
KUALA LUMPUR: Some banks deny that they are reluctant to provide financing for green technology initiatives and claim that they will lend as long as internal lending guidelines are met and investors are able to secure certification from relevant authorities.
United Overseas Bank (M) Bhd senior vice-president and senior head of bumiputra business banking division Mohd Fhauzi Muridan said: “We treat all customers equally. Any application for financing is assessed according to our internal lending guidelines and applied equally to all customers.
Mohd Fhauzi Muridan ... ‘We treat all customers equally.’
“The only additional criterion for Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) is that companies will need to provide the project certification from the Malaysian Green Technology Corp (MGTC) and the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water,” he told StarBiz.
He said the Government assisted these companies by providing a certain level of financial guarantee that encouraged financial institutions to give them loans, adding that overlaying this, however, was the bank’s lending guidelines when assessing the various risks associated with a loan application.
According to Mohd Fhauzi, UOB Malaysia has its own internal lending guidelines and these guidelines would apply equally to all customers from all industries and sectors. These guidelines, he noted, wereconsistent with best practices and aligned with existing regulatory requirements.
Applicants who had viable project approved by the ministry and able to meet the bank’s lending guidelines would definitely be considered by the bank, he said.
Bernama recently reported that the slow assimilation of green technology in the country was due to the reluctance of banks to provide financing. It cited Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui as saying the resistance stemmed from the assumption by financial institutions that green technology was still new here compared with some other countries.
Chin also felt financial institutions were adopting a wait-and-see attitude instead of taking risks.
He added so far, MGTC had green project certification for 55 projects out of 71 applications, whereby only nine projects had been offered financing and the rest were depending on banks for money.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Hopes for cheaper green cars
source: The star
Industry analysts call for incentives that promote hybrid or electric vehicles in Budget 2011
PETALING JAYA: Local automotive analysts and industry observers are hopeful that incentives that promote hybrid or electric vehicles in Malaysia would be announced at this year’s Budget 2011 that will be tabled on Friday.
A key step forward is to reduce the price tag of such vehicles, said Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific automotive and transportation practice principal consultant Dushyant Sinha.
“It is imperative that hybrid and electric cars are made more affordable and acceptable to the average consumer,” he told StarBiz in an e-mail.
“It is also important to ensure simultaneous development of a composite manufacturing ecosystem, comprising both OEMs (original equipment manufacturer) and suppliers.”
Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd and UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd are the only two official franchise holders offering their own hybrid models in Malaysia, namely the Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius respectively. The models are priced from RM129,000 and RM175,000 respectively
Dushyant also said that the 50% excise duty exemption for completely-built-up (CBU) hybrid cars that would end this year, should be extended. “The exemption has certainly helped make imported models like the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid more affordable,” he said.
“However, these incentives need to continue beyond Dec 31, 2010, to ensure that a critical mass of vehicles is reached before demand becomes large enough to make local manufacturing and assembly feasible.” Dushyant said added incentives that reduced day-to-day operational costs, such as free parking and reductions in road tax, would be welcomed at this year’s budget.
Industry analysts call for incentives that promote hybrid or electric vehicles in Budget 2011
PETALING JAYA: Local automotive analysts and industry observers are hopeful that incentives that promote hybrid or electric vehicles in Malaysia would be announced at this year’s Budget 2011 that will be tabled on Friday.
A key step forward is to reduce the price tag of such vehicles, said Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific automotive and transportation practice principal consultant Dushyant Sinha.
“It is imperative that hybrid and electric cars are made more affordable and acceptable to the average consumer,” he told StarBiz in an e-mail.
“It is also important to ensure simultaneous development of a composite manufacturing ecosystem, comprising both OEMs (original equipment manufacturer) and suppliers.”
Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd and UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd are the only two official franchise holders offering their own hybrid models in Malaysia, namely the Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius respectively. The models are priced from RM129,000 and RM175,000 respectively
Dushyant also said that the 50% excise duty exemption for completely-built-up (CBU) hybrid cars that would end this year, should be extended. “The exemption has certainly helped make imported models like the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid more affordable,” he said.
“However, these incentives need to continue beyond Dec 31, 2010, to ensure that a critical mass of vehicles is reached before demand becomes large enough to make local manufacturing and assembly feasible.” Dushyant said added incentives that reduced day-to-day operational costs, such as free parking and reductions in road tax, would be welcomed at this year’s budget.
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