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By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING June 7: Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawai says his ministry will look into reviewing the ordinance governing the use of energy under the Net Energy Metering (NEM) scheme by Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy).
Julaihi said presently the scheme is mainly for those who install Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems at home for domestic purposes and any extra energy from the PV system is channelled through the electricity grid back to Sarawak Energy.
“This extra energy will be a form of credit that can be used to pay for the total consumption of electricity by the owner. It has reached the usage level of more than 75 and they (users) want higher usage capacity. We need to look at the ordinance on the subject matter,” he said.
Julaihi told reporters this at a press conference with Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg after the launching of Green Energy Symposium And Exhibition Sarawak 2023 (GESS) and the Solar Testbed at Centexs Digital and Green Energy Academy (Centexs) in Kuching today.
Earlier, a reporter asked whether there would be any changes to the NEM scheme that presently only allows domestic users to use 75 per cent of their energy needs from PV systems or if Sarawak Energy would change the rule to allow 100 per cent PV energy usage.
According to information on the Sarawak Energy website, NEM applicants shall install a solar PV system with the capacity that generates energy not exceeding 75 per cent of average consumption for the past 12 months. For systems with more than the specified capacity, the applicant shall seek approval from the Director of Electricity Supply, Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Julaihi also hoped the Sarawak government would bring the matter to the federal government to review the country’s legislation about energy usage as the region is adapting to green technology.
Also, present at the press conference were Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister of Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden, Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Liwan Lagang, Centex chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani and Centexs Chief Executive Officer Syeed Mohd Hussein. — DayakDaily
