Malaysia is serious in saving the planet and is embarking on various energy efficiency (EE) initiatives as part of efforts to power the national transformation initiative.
Malaysia is also aware that by improving EE, local companies will become more competitive and households can reduce electricity bills as well as lighten the cost of living for average Malaysians.
Before the country can become a high-income nation, it needs to improve EE at every level.
Sirim QAS International Malaysia, which is part of the country’s certification and standard body Sirim, has embarked on a journey towards national economic transformation involving every household and energy consumer.
Sirim QAS International launched the country’s EE testing laboratory by Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui yesterday.
EE is for all and improving it has been designated as one of the Entry Point Projects (EPPs) under the oil, gas and energy sector.
Malaysia has been found to be 34 per cent more energy-intensive than its peers. Therefore, this EPP can be of great help in moderating the country’s power and fuel consumption.
The Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) is the government’s plan to transform Malaysia into a high-income nation by the year 2020.
The ETP will lift Malaysia’s gross national income (GNI) per capita from US$6,700 (RM23,700) in 2009 to more than US$15,000 (RM48,000) in 2020, propelling the nation to a level on par with other high-income nations.
This GNI growth of six per cent per annum will allow Malaysia to achieve the targets set under Vision 2020 under the oil, gas and energy New Key Economic Area of the ETP.
The government has identified 12 Entry EPPs and two business opportunities for the oil, gas and energy sector. These EPPs will contribute RM47.1 billion to GNI to meet 2020 targets.
One of the five initiatives identified for improving energy efficiency in Malaysia has targeted end-users through the retailers of electronic appliances.
The initiative is intended to stimulate the sales of energy efficient appliances and will generate up to RM5.1 billion of GNI by 2020.
Through the initiative, consumers will receive rebates on particular appliances that account for the biggest part of household electricity bills, namely refrigerators and air conditioners.
Sirim QAS International is playing an important role in this initiative through testing and verification of appliances to determine energy performance.
The Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) has appointed SiriM QAS International to provide energy efficiency testing for refrigerators, air conditioners, lamps and lighting devices to support this initiative.
Sirim QAS International will ensure that targeted energy efficient appliances, including refrigerators, air conditioners, lamps and lighting devices sold in Malaysia, are thoroughly tested, meeting globally recognised energy efficiency standards and regulations.
Since the appointment in January 2011, Sirim QAS International has taken extensive steps to ensure the timely establishment of its EE testing laboratory facilities.
These efforts include the procurement of two factory lots in Section 16, Shah Alam, for the site of the laboratory.
Today, the laboratory is ready to accept requests for energy efficiency testing of refrigerators, lamps and lighting devices.
By September, the laboratory will also offer energy efficiency testing for air conditioners.
The testing facility in Section 16, Shah Alam in Selangor adds to the existing range of Sirim QAS International’s energy efficiency testing capabilities.
The existing laboratory, located at the headquarters of Sirim QAS International in Section 2, Shah Alam, currently conducts energy efficiency testing on domestically produced fans, televisions and ballasts for fluorescent lamps.
Sirim QAS International will gradually increase capabilities for the testing of other appliances in the future.
