CCS in Malaysia

Overview

When compared with other developing countries within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the carbon intensity of Malaysia’s economy is relatively high.

Malaysia is committed to addressing its steadily increasing emissions profile and has tasked its Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with the responsibility of developing an emissions reduction roadmap to identify how this target can be achieved. Malaysia has established a significant renewable energy portfolio to address this.

The Government of Malaysia is exploring many different mitigation and energy efficiency options, including carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Malaysia’s economy is driven by the use of natural gas, drawn from its large reserves, for energy, as well as the use of coal in power generation. In addition to power generation, significant amounts of CO₂ emissions come from cement manufacture.

 Figure 1. CO₂ Emissions by Sector in 2008 (excludes land use change). Source: World Resources Institute, Climate Analysis Indicators Tool http://cait.wri.org/

Malaysia’s primary energy usage is dominated by fossil fuels with the use of coal for power generation on the increase. The major non-energy source of CO₂ emissions is the cement industry.
 

Figure 2. Total Energy Consumption by Type in 2008. Source: Malaysia Country Analysis, US Energy Information Administration, http://www.eia.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=MY

The Malaysian Government continues to work with organisations such as the Institute to explore CCS potential. 

Status of CCS

In 2010, the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) partnered with the Institute and the Clinton Climate Initiative to produce a CCS Scoping Study. The Study provides a thorough assessment of the specific potential for CCS in Malaysia.

Key findings of the study include:

• there is an opportunity to reduce significant volumes of CO₂ emitted by Malaysian point sources using CCS technologies; 
• CCS can reduce emissions directly from the power, oil and gas, and industrial sectors; and 
• the cost of electricity produced using CCS on fossil fuel plants is competitive with other low-emission sources of power such as solar and wind.

Key organisations:

• Department of Prime Minister
• Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
• PETRONAS
• Tenaga Nasional Berhad

Global CCS Institute Activities in Malaysia

• 1.5 day introductory CCS workshop for government and industry stakeholders.
• Development of a CCS Scoping Study in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water and Clinton Initiative, identifying the potential for CCS in Malaysia. 
• A capacity assessment and a capacity development work program of nine key activities in partnership with Malaysian stakeholders.
• Co-hosted a CCS session at Malaysia's Green Technology Exhibition and Conference with Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water.
• Institute scholarships for five Malaysian representatives to attend the CO2CRC CCS School.
• A CCS training initiative: in partnership with CO2CRC and Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water the saw the development of  a CCS unit that can be taught in Malaysian universities and industry organisations.