COVER FEATURE
Energy Sector - Significant Strides In Achieving SDGs
By Ir . Ts . Dr Wan Syakirah Dato ’ Wan Abdullah Head of Business Development , TNB Renewables
Muhammad Nazry Chik Head of Asset Management , TNB Renewables
Curie Navita Santhira Mogan University College London
COVER FEATURE
The Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) established by the United Nations in 2015 serve as a global framework to address the 17 pressing issues affecting people and the environment . These goals cover a wide range of issues , including affordable and clean energy ( Goal 7 ), climate action ( Goal 13 ) and the protection of life on land ( Goal 15 ). Through dedicated efforts and the widespread adoption of sustainable practices within the Energy Sector , we can strive to preserve biodiversity whilst accelerating the move towards accessible green energy and decarbonisation . These efforts promise a future teeming with biodiversity , and the survival of species like the Gastric Brooding Frog . This article explores the efforts of the energy sector in achieving the SDGs and emphasises the importance of preserving biodiversity and protecting wildlife habitats , aligning particularly with SDG Goal 15 : Life on Land .
Malaysia ’ s energy sector has made remarkable strides in the pursuit of Goals 7 and 13 . Currently , 23 % of Malaysia ’ s energy mix is derived from renewable sources , notably hydropower generation [ 1 ]. Moreover , the country is on track to reach an impressive 31 % contribution from renewables by 2025 . Companies such as Tenaga Nasional Berhad ( TNB ) have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to bolstering Solar Energy production , capitalising on Malaysia ’ s advantageous equatorial location . Benefiting from solar irradiance ranging from 1575 to 1812 kWh / m 2 yearly [ 1 ], Malaysia continues to harness its natural resources effectively in its quest for sustainable energy solutions . As we strive towards a greener future through the advancement of large-scale solar plants , biomass plants , and hydroelectric plants , we must contemplate their potential impact on the delicate ecosystem and devise sustainable solutions to mitigate any disruptions they may pose .
Through the establishment of TNB Renewables Sdn Bhd ( TRe ), TNB aims to grow renewable energy in the local market through the development of Large-Scale Solar ( LSS ) farms , capable of generating more than 30MW of power [ 2 ]. At present , Malaysia has only a 2 % renewable energy penetration , mainly contributed by solar [ 2 ]. As TRe strives to expand its reliance on solar energy , a significant challenge arises in balancing the uninterrupted supply of energy with the preservation of ecosystems and wildlife .
TNB Sepang Solar
TNB Sepang Solar ( TSS ) is a remarkable achievement for TNB as it actively supports Malaysia ’ s pursuit of sustainable energy while upholding Goal 15 . This ground-mounted solar PV park , owned entirely by TNB Renewables , boasts an impressive capacity of 50MW . Covering an expansive area of 98 hectares and featuring over 230,000 solar panels , the development of TSS represents a significant leap towards a greener future . One notable aspect of TSS is its strategic location amidst a vast palm oil plantation . This positioning has allowed the solar plant to be
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