KL open to higher renewable energy quotas

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is open to raising the quotas for the generation of renewable energy if the public is willing to pay another 1 per cent of levy.

Starting this month, consumers in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, whose monthly electricity bills exceed RM77, start paying an additional 1 per cent levy to subsidise renewable energy (RE) producers.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry secretary-general Datuk Loo Took Gee estimates Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (Seda) to collect up to RM250 million in levy by the end of 2012.

Due to limited funds, the feed-in tariff (FiT) quota allocation for RE producers is being awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, which explained the rush by RE players in their applications.

Within the first few days of opening, applications for the FiT allocation under the categories of biomass and solar photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy projects are fully taken up.

"There's so much interest in biomass and solar PV," said Seda chief operating officer Ali Askar Sher Mohamad.

Asked if the government may raise the quotas and allow for more RE producers to supply to the national grid, Loo replied, "It all depends on funding. If the public is willing to pay an additional 1 per cent, we're open to raising the quotas."

Loo and Ali were speaking to Business Times on the sidelines of the Solar Symposium 2011 held here today.

my bill is rm200+ every month