Malaysia Raises Issue Of Long-Term Energy Storage

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has raised the issue of long-term energy storage at a meeting of ASEAN officials here. "Stockpiling is very important to protect a nation during times of energy crises and supply disruptions, when the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA) can be used by member states," Malaysian Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water Secretary-General Loo Took Gee said. He was speaking to reporters after chairing the Senior Officials' Meeting on Energy Plus Three (SOME +3) in conjunction with the 33rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (33rd AMEM) here Tuesday. Loo noted that some ASEAN countries have energy stockpiles of 30 to 60 days, although the issue of long-term energy storage is still at the discussion stage. On renewable energy, which currently accounts for only 320 megawatts, he said as the people are not yet prepared to pay more for it, the government has diversified the sources of electricity generation. "As the conditions are not ideal, the ministry will use net energy metering and generate electricity from utility scale solar projects," he said. --BERNAMA