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Energy, Economic and Environmental Impact of Hydropower in Malaysia International Journal of Advanced Scientific Research and Management, Vol. 2 Issue 4, Apr 2017. www.ijasrm.com ISSN 2455-6378 Energy, Economic and Environmental Impact of Hydropower in Malaysia M. Faizal1,2, L. J. Fong1, J. Chiam1 and A. Amirah3 1 ADP, SLAS, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia 2 FIA, SLAS, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia 3Department of Park and Ecotourism, Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Malaysia Abstract Fossil fuel has occupied 78.4% of the total Malaysia is rich with natural resources, a true gem worldwide energy consumption whereas 19% comes with plenty of water and receives high rain volume from renewables, which are broken down into per year which is used to generate power. Hence, the different renewables used (See Figure 1) [2]. The use use of hydropower becomes relevant in this country. of non-renewable resources has been inducing Hydropower is a renewable source of energy which negative impact to the environment such as acid rain, produces very little greenhouse gasses. Besides that, air pollution, global warming, ozone layer depletion, it is the least costly way of storing large amounts of and emission of radioactive substances [3]. Other electricity. Utilization of electrical energy is an than that, it contributes to an increase in the rate of important aspect to the economic growth for a diminishing fossil fuel resources and detrimental to country and improvement in people’s living public health [4]. standards, especially in developing countries. The growing demand for electrical energy, the To tackle the numerous adversities faced by non- environmental effects of fossil fuel usage as well as renewables, we should focus on a renewable energy fear of losing fossil fuels, are the main topics driving resource which is one of the cleanest source of us towards the direction of focusing on hydropower energy and curbs the following negative impacts as a source of renewable technology. Therefore, this above – hydropower. It is the best alternative to non- paper discusses the impact of hydropower in renewables due to the fact that our community is Malaysia for the energy produced, economic aspect more aware of the importance of saving our and also environmental impact. environment thus many countries are shifting their Keywords: Hydropower; Energy; Economic; focus towards cleaner sources [5]. Hydropower Environment; Renewable energy electricity generation comes from different forms such as waves, tides, ocean currents, natural flow of water in rivers, or marine thermal gradients and be 1. Introduction can further classified as large, small, mini, micro and pico (see Table 1) [6]. Energy is fundamental to how we live daily. It is necessary for countries to utilize it if they were to In Malaysia, The Energy Commission, a government engage in important activities: industrial, domestic, monitoring agency of national renewable energy and agricultural activities. Due to its importance for development had set a goal to increase the electricity sustainability, the demand for energy has increased output from renewables by 5.5% by 2012, which was significantly. A 1.6% rise in the annual rate of global a success due to the establishment of Sustainable primary energy consumption between 2009 and 2030 Energy Development Authority. Additionally, is expected [1]. However, most the energy resources Malaysia was in the top 9 countries for hydropower used are non-renewables, mainly fossil fuel followed capacity added which implemented 700 MW in 2015 by nuclear. (See Figure 2)[2]; The reason for great extension of hydropower was due to its sustainable geographical location which has an equatorial climate, high 33 International Journal of Advanced Scientific Research and Management, Vol. 2 Issue 4, Apr 2017. www.ijasrm.com ISSN 2455-6378 rainfall, high access to sea, many rivers, and from Malaysia’s many water resources, it should irrigation channels [7]. avail its resources to its advantage by building hydropower energy generation to fulfil its potential. In order to develop Malaysia’s energy industry, we Therefore, this review paper provides an overview of should focus on all factors instead of energy output utilizing the hydropower energy source by focusing solely. We must select the best available energy on 3 main areas: energy impact, economic impact, source by evaluating each factor thoroughly. Judging and environmental impact. mainly from Bakun Dam, which is situated in 2. Energy Impact Sarawak. As for the estimated 29,000 MW of hydropower potential, it is mainly from East Malaysia because Peninsular Malaysia has nearly Malaysia is blessed with a profusion of water unlocked all of its potential whereas East Malaysia resources thanks to 150 river systems situated in still has so much hydropower potential, yet to be West Malaysia and another 50 rivers in East exploited [11]. The total power generated solely by Malaysia. Moreover, having its geographical position hydropower recently is 15,524 GWh, which is on the equator, it receives an estimated average 10.89% of Malaysia electricity generation mix (see annual rainfall of 2000 mm, which is 1250 mm Table 2 and Figure 3) [9]. higher than the world's average annual rainfall, 750 mm [8]. From 1990 to 2013, Malaysia has been 2.2 Future of hydropower in Malaysia growing exponentially which paved way for great development in electricity generation for its fast- In Peninsular Malaysia, there is a hydropower station growing population in the country. In 2013, named Ulu Jelai, which is still under construction. electricity generation is produced mostly using gas This Ulu Jelai Hydroelectric Project (HEP), which is (46.29%), followed by coal (41.04%), hydropower located on the Bertam River in the Cameron (10.74%), Diesel (1.05%), Oil (0.03%) and others Highlands, has an installed capacity of 372 MW (0.85%) (See Figure 3) [9]. Hydropower ranks at which can contribute 326 GWh of peak energy third place among other electricity generation annually to Peninsular Malaysia [12]. Another methods, but the first renewable energy source project that is still under construction is the Hulu compared to other renewable energy sources in Terengganu Hydroelectric Project, which is located Malaysia. Due to its geographical location which upstream of Kenyir lake. It has an installed capacity delivers an estimate 29,000 MW of potential of 265 MW and it can produce 467 GWh per year hydropower, it ensures a clear mind to Malaysians [13]. As for East Malaysia, the proposed Baleh that hydropower development is most welcomed Hydroelectric Project, which is located on the Baleh here thus possessing a great impact in Malaysia’s River and has a total installed capacity of 1,295 MW, energy development. was approved by Sarawak state cabinet on 30th June 2016 and to be expected to produce 8,076 GWh of 2.1 Hydropower in Peninsular Malaysia and East energy per year [14]. The total additional GWh in Malaysia the future that is secured for the future is 8869 GWh which shows that the Energy Commission Act in As for the fulfilment of its high potential in 2001, which promotes renewable sources and hydropower, the total of installed capacity of conservation of non-renewable sources, has a great hydropower stations is 5434.5 MW in Malaysia (See impact on Malaysia’s electricity generation mix [15]. Table 3) [10]. The installed capacity can be separated into two areas due to separation of lands by the 2.2.1 Connecting the East to the West South China Sea: Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. Peninsular Malaysia has a total installed With so much installed capacity of renewable capacity of 1930.5 MW with most of its capacity electricity, a plan was proposed to transmit 70% of coming from hydropower stations from North the generated capacity by Bakun Dam to Peninsular Malaysia (Kelantan and Terengganu). As for East Malaysia via 730 km of overhead HVDC transmission lines in East Malaysia, 670 km of Malaysia, it has 3,504 MW of electricity generated, 34 International Journal of Advanced Scientific Research and Management, Vol. 2 Issue 4, Apr 2017. www.ijasrm.com ISSN 2455-6378 undersea HVDC cable and 300 km of HVDC the electricity generation efficiency (the ratio transmission line in Peninsular Malaysia [16]. There between the useful output of an energy conversion was also a plan envisioning Trans-Borneo Power machine and the input, in energy terms) of Grid Interconnection which links the whole of hydropower is the highest, which led to being one of Borneo which will connect three countries (Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia), solely the island. With the the lowest cost of electricity (total cost of installing possible access to this single largest renewable and operating a project expressed in $/kWh by the source of energy throughout the whole country, system over its life), bringing great positive impact Malaysia will have the option to minimize the use of on the economy due to less expenses on electricity fossil fuel for electricity generation by focusing on generation [18]. hydropower by conducting feasibility studies on high hydropower potential areas, which has an estimated 3.1 Current economic contributions of hydropower hydropower potential of 29,000 MW in Malaysia, in East Malaysia and build new hydropower stations [14]. Sarawak is one of the two states that make up East 2.3 Overall impact of hydropower in Malaysia Malaysia, it is separated by the South China Sea Hydropower is vital in Malaysia’s energy from Singapore and West Malaysia, and Sarawak is development. It constitutes more than 10% of by far the largest state in the country with more than Malaysia’s total electricity generation, which stands 120,000 square kilometers. Other than the high at 29,974 MW, and it will increase in the future due rainfall, the availability of suitable hydroelectric to the later completion of hydropower stations [9].
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