Malaysian Energy Outlook

Abstract

This thesis aims to assess the degree of alignment of the United Nations’ seventh Sustainable Development Goal with the Malaysian government’s national agenda when it comes to the twin, but potentially conflicting, goals of advancing both clean energy and economic growth. The thesis examines what the Malaysian government has done about energy policy from the country’s founding in 1963 to May of 2018 and looks forward into the Eleventh Malaysia Plan for energy policies up to 2020. Analysis of how Malaysia has adjusted its policies over time will allow insight into potential solutions for moving away from using fossil fuels as a source of electricity generation. The Sam Peltzman model is discussed regarding energy policies to gain understanding of social and political perspectives. The Peltzman model evaluates the risk versus reward for a policymaker to support or resist a policy. Interviews are held to gain unique perspectives on the issue and to provide a more comprehensive picture of potential issues for utilizing renewable energy and the challenges for its implementation. Dimensional analysis for land space compared to energy output is used to determine the feasibility of using palm oil biofuel instead of fossil fuels. Solar energy is considered for its potential towards a cleaner energy profile as well as the potential barriers to implementation such as cost to the consumer. Dimensional analysis will also be used to help determine whether solar energy can meet the domestic demand for the near future.