As Malaysia continues to depend on non-renewable energy sources like coal and natural gas, rising electricity costs will remain an unavoidable reality. With global energy market volatility and increasing supply costs, the burden on consumers and businesses will only grow, making it clear that a shift to renewable energy isn't just an option—it's a necessity.

Electricity Prices Keep Rising—And They Won't Stop

Since 2006, Malaysia's electricity tariffs have surged by 12%, followed by another 7.12% increase in 2011. And if past trends are anything to go by, this upward climb isn't slowing down anytime soon.

According to Prof. Tan Sri Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, Executive Director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, rising electricity prices aren't necessarily a bad thing—rather, they highlight the urgent need for Malaysia to reform its energy policies.

"The days of relying solely on traditional energy sources are over. Malaysia must focus on long-term energy solutions to ensure a more stable and affordable energy supply," she told Bernama.

What Can Malaysia Learn from Other Countries?

Dr. Jemilah pointed to Denmark and Vietnam as examples of nations that successfully reduced energy costs through early investments in renewable energy:

Meanwhile, Singapore is aiming for 4GW of solar capacity by 2030, and Australia has also successfully reduced electricity prices through aggressive renewable energy development.

Malaysia Has Huge Solar Potential—So Why Aren't We Tapping Into It?

Situated right on the Equator, Malaysia enjoys an abundance of sunlight, with daily solar radiation levels ranging from 4 to 6 kWh/m². This makes it a prime location for harnessing solar power—yet, we're still lagging behind other countries in large-scale adoption.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA):

Malaysia's Renewable Energy Goals—RM33 Billion Investment for a Sustainable Future

The Malaysian government has set an ambitious target: 31% renewable energy capacity by 2025. However, reaching this goal requires an investment of around RM33 billion.

While this sounds like a hefty price tag, Dr. Jemilah argues that the long-term savings far outweigh the short-term costs. Instead of continuing to pump money into fossil fuels, which are becoming increasingly expensive and unsustainable, Malaysia should follow global trends and prioritize renewable energy.

Final Thoughts: Will Malaysia Make the Shift Before It's Too Late?

The world is moving toward clean, renewable energy, and Malaysia has all the resources needed to follow suit. The question is, will we act in time to secure a stable, affordable energy future—or will we keep paying the price for fossil fuel dependence?

What do you think? Should Malaysia speed up its transition to solar and wind energy, or are we still too reliant on traditional power sources? Let's discuss!