A Member of Parliament (MP) has suggested that the government should explore the potential of using wind turbines to expand the country’s renewable energy portfolio. The proposal was made during the debate on the Supply Bill 2024 by Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan (PN-Merbok). He believes that there are suitable locations in Malaysia for wind energy projects, and it aligns with the sustainability roadmap to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050.
According to Mohd Nazri, despite some people claiming that there is not enough wind in Malaysia for wind turbines, there are several suitable places to implement these projects. Some of these locations include the east coast and select areas on the west coast of the Peninsula. He highlighted that the first wind turbine in Malaysia was developed in Bukit Cerakah, Selangor in 2014, and it can produce enough electricity for over 1,000 houses.
Furthermore, researchers from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) have recently developed a wind turbine that can efficiently generate electricity at low wind speeds. This breakthrough was achieved through a revolution in wind turbine blade technology. Mohd Nazri urged Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad to evaluate and tap into local expertise to develop wind energy projects cost-effectively.
In a separate address, Azli Yusof (PH-Shah Alam) urged the government to consider nuclear energy as an alternative source of electricity generation due to the country’s climate, which limits the availability of solar resources throughout the year. He mentioned that during a visit to Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, the Prime Minister witnessed a large solar farm that benefits from the abundant sunlight throughout the year. However, he noted that the UAE government is also constructing four nuclear plants as an alternative energy source and questioned whether the Malaysian government should consider this option as well.
Another suggestion came from Howard Lee (PH-Ipoh Timur), who proposed the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Consultative Council. This council, which would include parliamentarians, industry players, UTM, and the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, is intended to prepare the country for technological developments and enhance the AI industry.
The Dewan Rakyat sitting will continue on Tuesday (Oct 23). – Bernama
