Malaysia to implement net energy metering next year - Ongkili

Malaysia is expected to implement net energy metering (NEM) next year, which allows self-consumption of electricity generated by solar photovoltaic system while selling the excess energy to utility companies.

"If the users are producing more than what they are consuming, they get paid by utility companies such as Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd.

"This will be the first (of its kind) in the region," Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili said.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the seventh International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia's dinner here, last night.

The Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia had said that the country would be implementing its 500 megawatts (MW) of capacity for NEM starting 2016 until 2020 with 100MW capacity limit a year in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.

On the 2017 Budget, Ongkili expressed hope that it would give greater focus on green developments as envisaged in the 11th Malaysia Plan.

"Hence, the allocations needed to ensure that the goals under the green technology development can be accomplished," he said.

He also hoped that the government would provide an allocation to improve the sewage sector and to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

"We are aware of the economic condition and the shortfall in national revenue due to the sluggish oil and gas sector, but we believe in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's wisdom to ensure what is specified in the key performance indicators can be realised," he added.