KUALA LUMPUR: A national energy policy to ensure a balance of social, economic and environmental parameters is needed, the Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia (Awer) said.

Its president, S. Piarapakaran, said while a major fuel mix and energy transition would take place in the next three decades, the government should take stock of past failures that had resulted in Malaysians and the economic sectors paying a higher cost.

"The government must look into implementing energy efficiency across the board.

"It is vital to ensure energy consumption patterns move towards more efficient solutions via behavioural changes, technology overhaul and retrofitting," he said, outlining the association's wish list for the 2023 Budget. 

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed had reiterated the country's commitment to a low-carbon energy transition.

The National Energy Policy 2021-2040 will be launched later this year.

Piarapakaran said the government must also "select and match" energy resources to ensure private and public sectors did not over-invest in infrastructure.

Awer said the government should develop regulations for energy efficiency in buildings and enforce them in new buildings and retrofit them for existing buildings, he added.

"Increasing efficiency will reduce energy demand and save billions of ringgit."

He said: "Improving public transportation is time-consuming.

"It is important that vehicle energy efficiency is implemented to ensure only efficient fuel-consuming vehicles are sold in Malaysia.

"This will reduce fuel expenses, energy demand and emissions."

He said Awer had introduced minimum energy performance standards and mandatory energy efficiency labelling for electrical products.

Perhaps a similar mechanism could be done for vehicles, he added. - Bernama