In Malaysia, electricity consumption remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with more than four-fifths of the electricity generated from these sources. Coal and gas are the dominant fossil fuel contributors, accounting for nearly 44% and 37% of electricity generation, respectively. On the other end, low-carbon power sources contribute close to a fifth of Malaysia's total electricity production. Hydropower is the main low-carbon contributor, supplying about 16% of the total, while solar energy contributes a modest 2%. This stark contrast highlights the vast potential for growth and the urgent need to transition towards more sustainable electricity generation practices.
Is Electricity Growing in Malaysia?
Encouragingly, electricity consumption per person in Malaysia has been rising, indicating robust economic activities and an increasing dependence on electricity. The latest data for 2024 shows a consumption level of 5,577 kWh per person, marking an increase of 231 kWh from 2023. Meanwhile, clean electricity production has also edged up, with low-carbon generation now at 1,055 kWh per person, an increase of 24 kWh compared to 2022. Despite this progress, the pace of clean energy integration still leaves much room for acceleration if Malaysia is to effectively shift away from fossil dependency and achieve a greener grid.
Suggestions
Looking to the future, Malaysia has an opportunity to expand its low-carbon technology portfolio, learning from international examples of countries excelling in solar and nuclear energy utilization. Lebanon, for instance, generates around 31% of its electricity from solar energy, demonstrating the potential impact solar initiatives can have in sunny climates. Similarly, the remarkable dominance of nuclear energy in the electricity mixes of countries like France and Slovakia, with contributions of 68% and 62% respectively, showcases how establishing nuclear infrastructure can lead to significant clean energy gains. By prioritizing investment in solar and nuclear technologies, Malaysia could significantly advance on the path toward sustainable electricity generation, potentially reducing its reliance on environmentally damaging fossil fuels.
History
Historically, Malaysia's low-carbon electricity journey has been heavily tied to hydropower, experiencing fluctuating growth. Initial strides were seen in the 1980s and 1990s, with notable increases in electricity generation, such as the 1.7 TWh boost in both 1984 and 1994. The turn of the century brought challenges, as Malaysia witnessed periodic declines, but a resurgence in hydropower's contribution was evident in more recent years. Particularly, the period from 2013 to 2021 saw consistent growth, peaking in 2017 with an extraordinary 6.8 TWh increment. In 2024, Malaysia marked a new chapter by slightly enhancing its solar capacity, adding 0.9 TWh. This progress underscores the potential for diversifying Malaysia's low-carbon energy sources beyond hydropower to create a more balanced and resilient energy system.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.