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Contributing towards Malaysia’s Net Zero Future: Gentari’s Commitment to a Sustainable and Resilient Nation

Published 26 August 2024

As Malaysia marks its 67th year of independence, the nation stands at a pivotal moment in its energy history. From the days when fuel oil powered our industries and homes to the transition to natural gas as one of the primary sources of electricity generation, Malaysia’s energy sector has undergone a remarkable transformation. However, as we look towards the future, a new and pressing challenge looms on the horizon: climate change.

The question we must now address is how we can achieve a future where our energy is not only cleaner but also affordable and reliable.

Malaysia’s energy transition journey

Over the past decades, Malaysia has taken significant strides in its energy sector. The shift from fuel oil to natural gas was a crucial step towards reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency. However, the global climate crisis demands more ambitious actions. Malaysia’s government has recognised this and responded with a series of initiatives aimed at transforming the country’s energy landscape.

Central to these initiatives is the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), which outlines Malaysia’s pathway to achieving a low carbon energy system by 2050. The NETR sets ambitious targets, including increasing the total installed capacity share of renewable energy to 70% and targeting for 80% of 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers being electric vehicles (EV) by 2050. Additionally, the government aims to ensure that 40% of the country’s primary energy mix comes from renewable energy sources by 2035.

These goals are further supported by the Hydrogen Economy & Technology Roadmap (HETR), which envisions hydrogen as a pivotal component of Malaysia’s energy transition, targeting the production of 200,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030.

The NETR and HETR are part of a broader strategy to promote the adoption of renewable energy, hydrogen and green mobility solutions. These efforts are supported by tangible commitments, including the introduction of the Corporate Green Power Programme (CGPP) and incentives for private investments in clean energy. These are further testaments to the government's dedication to this cause.

Gentari’s alignment with Malaysia’s clean energy vision

At Gentari, we are deeply aligned with Malaysia’s national agenda on energy transition. Our mission is to deliver solutions that put clean energy into action today, while building a resilient and sustainable energy future for tomorrow. We do this by focusing on three key pillars: Renewable Energy, Hydrogen, and Green Mobility.

Renewable Energy
We are committed to becoming the leading next-generation Commercial and Industrial (C&I) and utility-scale renewable energy developer. In Malaysia, we have over 100 MW of solar assets installed and under construction, serving a diverse range of clients including utility companies, hypermarkets, fabrication yards, offices, plants, training centers, and universities. Among our many solar projects, Gentari delivered Malaysia’s largest single rooftop solar installation with a capacity of 7.4 MW at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, and the country’s largest self-consumption, ground-mounted solar installation with a capacity of 40 MW at the Pengerang Integrated Complex.

Additionally, our efforts to maximise rooftop solar offerings, as demonstrated by the rooftop solar installations at over 300 PETRONAS stations nationwide, are a significant step towards decentralising energy production and enhancing energy security. This initiative, expected to be operational by 2027, will see the installation of more than 5.4 MWp of solar capacity, offsetting about 5,035 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

Hydrogen
Gentari is dedicated to helping advance Malaysia’s hydrogen economy. Our collaboration with Tenaga Nasional Berhad to conduct feasibility studies on green hydrogen development and our partnership with Sarawak’s SEDC Energy to develop a hydrogen production hub in Sarawak are critical to positioning Malaysia as a key player in the global hydrogen market. These ventures support the national roadmap that envisions hydrogen as a crucial energy transition lever.

In addition, our partnership with Asahi Kasei and JGC Holdings Corporation underscores our commitment to green hydrogen. Together, we completed a detailed feasibility study for producing up to 8,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year using a 60 MW class alkaline water electrolyser system. Supported by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO), this collaboration will advance the deployment of large-scale water electrolysers to produce green hydrogen, serving as a catalyst for Malaysia’s hydrogen economy and contributing towards the country’s green hydrogen target of 200,000 tonnes per year by 2030.

Green Mobility
Our vision is to become Asia Pacific’s leading Green Mobility solutions partner. Transportation remains a prominent contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Malaysia, primarily driven by internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The land transport segment accounts for 85% of total transport emissions, equivalent to 55 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, with Malaysia’s substantial fleet of private passenger vehicles contributing significantly to urban traffic congestion, compromised air quality, and elevated carbon emissions.

To address these challenges, Gentari leads the transformation with Malaysia’s largest network of licensed EV charging stations, featuring over 400 EV charging points, including 120 DC fast chargers, spread across 105 locations. Our initiatives, such as the collaboration with PLUS to deploy Malaysia’s first modular and portable EV fast charging station at Behrang Lay-by, underscore our commitment to providing reliable and efficient charging solutions, ensuring seamless integration of EVs into daily operations.

Our focus on fleets, particularly in the last-mile delivery sector, is crucial for driving the energy transition across various societal and economic levels. With more than 16 million motorcycles in Malaysia and a growing number of gig riders, targeted efforts and strategic partnerships will help transform this vital segment of the transportation system, steering it toward enhanced sustainability.

Our strategic initiatives align with both the NETR and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), which set clear targets for transforming national energy systems and achieving sustainability milestones. By deploying innovative EV solutions and enhancing charging infrastructure, Gentari is committed to propelling these visions forward and catalysing a nationwide shift in transportation norms.

“Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka” – A vision for unity and progress

This year’s National Day and Malaysia Day theme, “Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka,” resonates deeply with Gentari’s mission. The integration of Malaysia’s diverse cultures and ethnicities is the backbone of the country’s prosperity and progress, just as the integration of various energy solutions is key to a sustainable future. Jiwa Merdeka symbolises the freedom from negative elements, embodying the patriotic spirit that drives us to build a united, harmonious, and progressive Malaysia.

At Gentari, we believe that every Malaysian has a role to play in the country’s clean energy story. Whether it’s adopting renewable energy solutions for homes and businesses, supporting the shift to green mobility, or advocating for policies that promote sustainability, each action contributes to a larger movement. By embracing the core values of Malaysia Madani and the spirit of Jiwa Merdeka, we can collectively steer Malaysia towards a more sustainable future.

The path forward: collaborating for a sustainable Malaysia

Looking ahead, Gentari remains fully committed to supporting Malaysia’s energy transition. We will continue to develop robust partnerships with fellow stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, energy players, technology companies, and end-users. These collaborations are essential to achieving Malaysia’s national decarbonisation and GHG reduction objectives.

Our journey has only just begun, with exciting prospects on the horizon as we expand our Renewables, Hydrogen, and Green Mobility ventures here in our home base, Malaysia. Gentari is committed to aligning our efforts with national goals and advancing Malaysia’s energy transition, helping to secure a sustainable and cleaner energy future for our country.

As we celebrate Malaysia’s National Day, let us also embrace our shared responsibility to build a more sustainable nation. Together, we can ensure that Malaysia’s energy future is one that all Malaysians can be proud of – cleaner, more affordable and reliable, a legacy for generations to come.

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