Malakoff Corporation Berhad today hosted the second Malakoff Community Partnerships Energy Expert Series focussing on successful sustainable case studies on Renewable Energy (RE) in Australia and Thailand. The lecture series featured keynote speakers, Daniel Ruoss, Managing Director of Envision Solar Energy Solutions and Dr Wuthipong Suponthana, Managing Director of Leonics Co Ltd who are renowned experts in RE.

A key highlight of this Energy Expert Series was an expert panel discussion chaired by Puan Badriyah Hj Abd Malek, Under Secretary for Sustainable Energy at the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (Ministry). She also highlighted some of the key initiatives Malaysia is planning for RE under the 10th Malaysian Plan.

The Energy Expert Series is a key component of Malakoff’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Platform - the Malakoff Community Partnerships. The lecture series serves as a platform for Malaysian policy makers and industry players to proactively engage with global experts on topics relevant to the country’s energy sector.

Speaking at the opening, Malakoff Corporation Berhad Chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Halim Ali said, “The Energy Expert Series is a part of Malakoff’s continuous commitment to promote the development and exchange of knowledge in the area of sustainable energy in line with the Government’s 10th Malaysian Plan.” “Moreover, Renewable Energy is not merely a socially-responsible thing for Malakoff, but also a business opportunity for us as a leader in the energy sector. Malakoff has identified RE as a growth opportunity for us, not only in more advanced markets but even for countries in this region such as Malaysia,” added Tan Sri Halim.

Tan Sri Halim explained that under the Malakoff Community Partnerships, the Company has also undertaken on-the-ground initiatives such as the Mangrove Rehabilitation Initiative, the Ikan Siakap Initiative and tie-ups with local universities to play its part in driving conservation efforts around the communities where Malakoff’s operations are based.

Furthermore, through The Association of Independent Power Producers, Penjanabebas, and in partnership with the Ministry, Malakoff is currently rolling-out the Green Schools Campaign, sponsoring the installation of a five kilowatt-peak (kWp) BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) system in each of the five identified schools across Malaysia.

During the talk, Daniel Ruoss explained that in order to promote clean energy, the Australian Government has initiated the Australian Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE). Elaborating on the role of ACRE, Ruoss said, “The objective of ACRE is to promote the development, commercialisation and deployment of RE as well as enabling technologies to improve their competitiveness in Australia.”

Ruoss delineated that the electricity generation from renewable sources in Australia has increased from 6.9% in 2008 to 16% in 2009. Over and above this, the country currently enjoys 10.75GW (Giga Watts) of RE installed power capacity as compared to 8.5GW in 2001. “Through the last decade, the country’s focus on RE put it in a strong position to play host to the World Solar Challenge as well as the PV Centre of Excellence,” he added.

Closer to home, in Malaysia, the implementation of the National Energy Policy is expected to achieve RM70billion RE business revenue by 2020.The production of RE would lead to greater green collar jobs opportunities and achieve the objective of the new economic policy by stimulating local manufacturing.