THE key to a sustainable future lies in green energy and alternative energy resources.

As opposed to the prevalently wide usage of fossil fuels, renewable energy offers the way forward towards building a more sustainable green future that minimises the negative impact on the environment and offers benefits to the community.

A major player in green energy, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has set its goals on leveraging innovation, expertise and sustainability in its efforts to improve the lives of people and the (future) condition of the planet.

Utilising modern technology of today, TNB has made a commitment to renewable energy (RE) and a transition towards this alternative.

To date, TNB has a low carbon portfolio that includes 119 RE plants (mini hydro, solar and wind) and 12 large hydro plants located domestically and internally, and continues to work towards achieving the 20% RE target of the Government in terms of the generation capacity mix by 2025.

TNB’s wholly-owned subsidiary, GSPARX focuses on a green retail generation business that provides solar energy with better accessibility, affordability with the further benefits convenience and savings, for everyone – residential and business. A recent example was the partnership with Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB). By facilitating the easier adoption of solar panels, GSPARX is a green initiative that contributes to greening the nation.

Efforts to minimise environmental impact, particularly TNB’s emissions footprint, include using the latest ultra-supercritical (USC) coal-fired technology to increase thermal efficiency so that more energy can be extracted from the same volume of fuel at its eco-friendly Jimah East Power (JEP) in Negeri Sembilan.

TNB is also doing nationwide energy audits for various companies such as Celcom and Penang International Airport to enable saving of energy consumption and thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

When it comes to consumers and the community, TNB has implemented the usage of smart meters, which empowers consumers to manage their energy consumption more efficiently towards a reduction of their carbon footprint.

Besides this, TNB has also completed a Net Zero Energy Home in Cyberjaya, integrating RE and energy-efficient technologies to power a home.

To reach out to the community at large, TNB has also implemented community-focused initiatives to make life better for all.

This includes the Village Street Lighting Project (Projek Lampu Jalan Kampung) launched in 2002 that lights up public areas in remote villages to support safe communal activities, alongside the Home Rewiring Programme introduced in 2017 to rewire, repair and extend full settlement assistance to underprivileged homes in Peninsular Malaysia.

Other programmes include the Projek Baiti Jannati, Mesra Rakyat and Better Brighter Shelter which provides accommodation for less privileged families, especially those from rural areas or the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, whose members are undergoing treatment in hospitals.

To date, TNB has installed 326,053 LED streetlights.

Meanwhile, the Energy Efficient Communities Programme aims to improve cost efficiency in all state capital cities across Peninsular Malaysia.

Some measures under this programme include replacing high-pressure sodium vapour (HPSV) streetlights with light emitting diode (LED) streetlights. To date, 326,053 LED lights have been installed.

When it comes to environmental concerns, TNB has at its core sustainability efforts on the restoration of wildlife and forestry, which is implemented via the preservation of Royal Belum, ikan kelah project and mangrove planting that helps restore the natural ecosystem and prevents soil erosion.

In terms of biodiversity management, the Hulu Terengganu hydroelectric station has initiated forest rehabilitation amid disturbed development areas, while the Sungai Perak hydroelectric station has developed a fish resources management plan for sustainable hydroelectric operations and a business model to create potential economic growth for the local community.

A commitment to energy transition has inspired the Smart UniverCity UNITEN – a living lab for smart city solutions.

Through this living lab, the aim is to enrich the on-campus experience for students, staff and visitors through the application of technology to improve lifestyle, reduce carbon footprint and innovate solutions for the energy industry.

With the aim of energising the future for the betterment of humanity and the planet, TNB is set to lead the way towards a more sustainable world leveraging on energy solutions for the future.Find out more about TNB and moving towards a sustainable future at www.tnb.com.my

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/10/23/green-energy-the-key-to-a-sustainable-future