ENERGY EFFICIENCY AS FASTER,CHEAPER, SAFER AND MORE INCLUSIVE OPTION THAN NUCLEAR FOR POWER IN MALAYSIA

I came across a group of young and motivated people through a good friend of mine Prof. Ir. Lalchand.
He was invited to be a panelist at a forum about nuclear organized by a group called AMAN.

He posted the a above information and instantly I said yes and I will be there. Then I searched in the internet about AMAN and bumped into their facebook page and I liked that page immediately. Then I posted something about potentials of energy efficiency from IEA as alternatives for nuclear power plants.

My stand in nuclear for power in Malaysia has been the same and I did said it to myself consistently and to me fellow EE friends to that if I need to go to the street to protest on nuclear for power, I will.

Then this AMAN's leader, Anas started to communicate with me through facebook and later we agreed to meet to have more clear picture about AMAN and how possibly I can play some roles with my background in EE.

We finally met at Bangsar on  a Saturday and joined by few more AMAN members...all of them are much much  younger than me surely. Anas himself just 24 years old and all of them looked very objective, motivated and excited on what they are trying to pursue under AMAN.

It did not take me a long  time after listening to the objectives and goals of AMAN to decide that they can count me in with them.We exchanged some ideas and thoughts on what each of us can contribute to champion the move to stop nuclear for power in Malaysia. I believe finally Allah has answered my prayer by giving me  another platform to pursue EE agenda for my beloved country and now coupled with the nuclear for power issue which can strengthen our case for the public to pay attention  and for the government to listen and act to concerns raised by Malaysians.

So, AMAN finally was launched on 23 December 2014  at the forum and I was there to witness that.On top of that I was also spontaneously  invited to address the crowd in few minutes and I highlighted my concerns on why the government is still insisting nuclear for power when there are other  options?

_

With AMAN chairman Dato' Dr. Ronald McCoy

Honestly I have never been in this kind of event or group and therefore I could not tell either the launching was a success or not but by being positive about it, I believe everything has to start somewhere and we will take it from there. As expected, I did not think that any government related/controlled media or mainstream media will cover the  event but I saw some reporters from online news portals were there to make some coverage.

I know what I was there and know exactly why I am in to be with AMAN and at this time after many years of trying to pursue EE agenda through all other possible channels and ways, I don't see any harm for me to come forward through AMAN. We have the same goals anyway....for a better future of Malaysia without nuclear as long as possible.

The dialogue ended with the a strong endorsement to  AMAN's key arguments on why Malaysia don't need nuclear power plants now with options that we have on the table.The government must stop the initiative to build nuclear power plant and focus on maximizing the potentials from EE and RE sources.

PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 23rd DECEMBER 2014

ANAK MALAYSIA ANTI NUKLEAR (AMAN) is a grassroots citizen movement that is convinced that nuclear power is not cheap, clean or safe and that it is not required for the generation of electricity in Malaysia. AMAN therefore rejects the construction of any nuclear power plant (NPP) in Malaysia.AMAN is aware of the ongoing dissemination of false information by the nuclear industry and other vested interests and that there has not been any genuine transparency of the government's intentions nor sincere public consultation. Our country must not make the serious mistake of investing in and constructing a nuclear power plant, particularly when there is no existing method of safely disposing of long-lasting radioactive nuclear waste, which will threaten the health of future generations of Malaysians.AMAN urges the government to abort EPP11: Deploying Nuclear Energy for Power Generation, which is part of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), or any other similar plan, but instead concentrate and focus efforts on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

AMAN has taken this position, based on 7 key factors:

1. A nuclear power plant is an enormously expensive and economically unwise project, from the construction and operating costs to the management of nuclear waste and eventual decommissioning of the plant. Factor in the dangerous and high cost of uranium required and you have an economically backward move. The International Atomic Energy Agency has stated that it will take at the very least $100 billion over the next 25 years to decommission 40 nuclear power plants.

2. With the increasing likelihood of serious natural disasters as a result of climate change, NPPs will prove to be vulnerable to natural disasters and accidents, as with the recent Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster. There is also no 100% guarantee that a NPP is safe from human error, sabotage or terrorist attack. Malaysia is not equipped to handle such catastrophic nuclear disasters which will make large areas of the country uninhabitable for hundreds of years.

3. Nuclear power is not safe and has proven to be a ticking time bomb. Proponents of the nuclear industry claim that nuclear power plants are safe, and yet the human and environmental disaster of Fukushima continues to worsen and defies any solution. It cannot be over emphasised that the greatest danger to human health comes from radiation emitted by nuclear waste, which remains radioactive for thousands of years and yet cannot be disposed of safely, ever since the beginning of the nuclear age.

4. There is no need to build a nuclear power plant to generate electricity as Malaysia's existing and planned electricity by other means is sufficient. Instead, there should be a concerted effort to explore into Renewable Energy for greener growth, as well as energy efficiency which can reduce up to 30% of power consumption.

5. Apart from China, the rate of construction of NPPs is skydiving, with only one NPP being constructed in the United States. By law, Germany will end its use of nuclear power by 2022, and France plans to do the same.

6. A nuclear power plant will make Malaysia dependent on foreign technology and dependence on foreign supply of nuclear materials will impact on energy security.

7. A nuclear power plant will open the doors to the misuse of plutonium, leading to nuclear weapons proliferation, although Malaysia has always opposed the use of nuclear weapons and advocates the elimination of nuclear weapons. Globally, the use of nuclear power as an energy source is in decline. In 2003, there were 438 operating NPPs, but today only 388 remain in operation. The world's use of nuclear energy has dropped from 17.8% in 1996 to 10.8% in the year 2013. Since the year 2000, the growth per annum of solar based energy has been 25%, wind 43%, and nuclear -0.4%.Germany has been very successful in its effort to phase out nuclear energy and is now shifting its policy towards renewable energy. France, which has always been a strong proponent and role model for nuclear energy, has passed a motion in Parliament to cut its dependency on nuclear from 75% to 50% and to increase its dependency on renewable energy from 15% to 40%.In light of the above, there is concrete evidence to suggest that Malaysia should scrap whatever plans it has to go nuclear, as it is a threat to energy security and the risks totally outweigh any perceived benefit. 

We urge the government to do the right thing for the benefits of generations to come.

DATO’ DR. RONALD MCCOY

CHAIRMAN

ANAK MALAYSIA ANTI NUKLEAR (AMAN)

and then followed by some coverage by online news portals such as Malayonline 

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/putrajaya-snubbed-cheaper-energy-savings-scheme-for-nuclear-plans-forum-tol 

and Malaysiakini  http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/284389

Hope all this will start something to bring up the real issues and solutions  available for larger number of Malaysians. I will be all the way with AMAN in this as long as they stick to common goals and don't get distracted or manipulated by some parties which can see the excitement and commitment shown by this young generation as opportunities to insert their own agenda.

Nuclear power plants are not like the government or PM where once we have one, we can change or make it weaker through elections.
Once we have nuclear plants, it will be there to make us to suffer for hundreds years to come for tiny mistakes that we definitely will make.

WE HAVE OTHER OPTIONS BUT THE GOVERNMENT IS SIMPLY DENYING AND HIDING IT and SCARE US look like there are no options other than nuclear.

It's our call and it's for our country because if we don't do anything to stop it, NO ONE WILL!

Let's do this AMAN! and let's join us MALAYSIANS!

TOGETHER WE MAKE OUR COUNTRY A BETTER, GREENER, SAFER AND HAPPIER PLACE TO LIVE NOW AND OUR FUTURE CHILDREN!

MY STORY FROM IGEM 2014

I must admit that I am still very raw in running a business and learning from others could be the shortest way for me to catch up with many more  experienced players out there. However I would like to share this true story about what we can get from sharing and exchange our thoughts and opinions with others especially with people from the same industry. 

The idea to share this story came after few days I visited the 5th IGEM at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre which were held  from 16 to 19 October 2014.

One lady businesswoman called me after I left the gov about 2 years back.I knew this lady from my days in Energy Commission when she had some works at our office in Kuala Lumpur and she has been regularly attending events EE event too such as seminars held by the government.

We she called be again, she asked me whether her company become an ESCO or not  if they are just supplying lamps and lighting controls system with sensor and etc. Initially I was a little bit reluctant to answer and told her that I might not be the right person to ask since I personally was still very new and just about to start to learn on how to run a business in energy services.

However, she insisted to get my opinion based on my experiences before and after I joined the gov.So, we had some telephone conversations and what I shared with her were purely based my logical thoughts where any company can become an ESCO but finally the market will notice us on what we are really good at or specialized in. I told her that since supplying lamp has so many players from the whole value chain and her company must have something that really unique for the market to differentiate.

Then we had few more conversations to exchange more thoughts and information related to her business and mine which I shared more on what I was about to start...management consultancy on energy services.Then I heard nothing from her except she did sent me a Hari Raya wish every year via sms.

On 17 Oct 2014, I bumped into her at her company's booth at IGEM 2014.She looked very excited when she saw me and called my name while I was walking passing her booth.

She invited me into her booth and eagerly showed me items that were displayed.She also shared with me that they have taken my advice into their business strategy soon after she had those conversations with me.They are now specializing only on lighting controls and managed to tie up with several developers to supply total solutions for lighting.

She added initially they just secured few small projects but after a few successful projects, they are now more known for that which is as a lighting control solutions provider and involved in more big scale projects.They are now no longer supplying lamps at all.In general, she and her partner now agree with me by specializing on something, we can make so impact in business although we may start as a small player.

Before I left the booth, I told her that I am happy to see her doing better and wished them her  the best in the way forward in that business.

All the best to you Wendy!With your commitment and dedication, I am confident you will reach greater heights  and you will have all my supports as as an  industry player and a friend..

Honestly I don't know how much  impacts of  what I shared with the lady but I am  also happy to them doing well too.The lady also told me that they owe my partly for what they are doing now.This kind of real life experience really taught me something in this industry.

Among them are...

1. Focus on our true strengths or what we can do best is important.
2. We have to differentiate ourselves in the market based on that strengths.
3. Alone we may be able to survive but to grow we need to have others to complement each other because clients expect everything from one single point and finally.
4. All of us have our own strenghts or trade secrets but exchanging  general ideas and thoughts about what we feel or believe about industry may open us into new ideas and perspective too. 

IGEM is an annual event that I normally will try make my time to attend every year which I haven't miss it so far. At IGEM I will have opportunities to see some new applications and technologies related to energy efficiency and green in general.It also may open new opportunities when I meet with existing and new contacts from the industry  by exchanging ideas,information and updates about each other.

With the President of Malaysia Photovoltaic Installers Association, En. Shazli

With a potentially new client, someone form Proton who is looking for strategic energy efficiency solutions for Proton's manufacturing facilities

Met an old friend Mr. Asrul Sany from the Energy Department of Brunei

With Dato' I. Guntor from Gading Kenchana which one of the recognized solar PV players in  the market

My young and energetic friend who is championing green issues using his own networking targeting his and future generation, Gene Harn.

En. Razali, a good friend who was on duty at KeTTHA's booth.

One more special thing about this year's IGEM is they opened the exhibition halls to students on the last day where I have managed to bring my two teenage children to visit IGEM too.

Education outside the class...my children were very excited experiencing and seeing green technology applications at IGEM this year.

SESI ENGAGEMENT BERSAMA STAKEHOLDERS MENGENAI PELAN TINDAKAN KECEKAPAN TENAGA NEGARA (NATIONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY ACTION PLAN-NEEAP)

I attended the stakeholders engagement at KeTTHA on 10 September.

It was Chaired by the Secretary General and presented by the undersecretary in-charge of drafting the NEEAP.

Below are my personal comments and observations from the session.

I was not a dialogue when it started...just about the undersecretary in-charge was the one who presented and keep telling the audience what the ministry's thought and what have been decided as responses to inputs to the draft NEEAP until I and representatives interrupted. On after that the session changed into more two-way traffic. 

The presenter started by trying to buy more time from showing historical back ground of EE development in Malaysia like in a seminar but failed to answer on some figures when questioned by some representatives.

In summary from the presentation on inputs and the way forward that the ministry plan to do is...all inputs given by stakeholders and public based on draft NEEAP were ignored and the draft remain as it is.

Few things that can be considered as positive from the engagement session...

• They held the session finally after almost 3 years.
• They committed to redraft the new EE law and the Secretary General promised to come up with the plan.
• We(stakeholders invited and attended) managed to voice our concerns and sent our messages and common stands on the workable way of EE at national level straight to the ministry witnessed by all.

The representative from a centralized agency, EPU share almost the same views with industry players, need to review and address only the funding element in the draft National EE Master Plan(NEEMP) that has been developed and discussed extensively with stakeholders from 2009.

The chairman tried to trap all who attended to endorse their NEEAP draft at the end of the session which is a totally flawed document with key elements deleted unilaterally by the ministry  but  failed miserably.

They proved to us that they have been working syok sendiri with the NEEAP draft that they plan to table to the cabinet soon.

Industry players reassure their intention and commitment to work together and support the ministry to come up with a workable national EE plan.

The meeting acknowledged about the need to include thermal energy in EE law and not just for electricity.

Other notes

• Stakeholders did not agree or endorse the draft NEEAP document that was drafted in isolation only by "EE experts" in the ministry itself only.
• Malaysia need to take bold steps or making a leap in EE to be ahead of our regional neighbours  such as Thailand and Singapore and not  just trying to make baby steps with project based approaches for EE.
• The presenter from the ministry failed to address and answer convincingly and correctly questions and arguments raised my those attended.
• The chairman claimed that she was the one who decided the drafting of EE law in 2011 was suspended and the reason given was she felt the draft was a mirror image of the already enforced RE law( stakeholders were never consulted about that).

My conclusion.

The true barrier of the national plan  for EE now is the Secretary General and the under secretary in-charge for EE now with their arrogant and stubborn attitude where inputs and recommendations by stakeholders and public have not been considered at all.They try to show to us only they know best to move forward as against the the statement of the YAB PM where " the day where the government knows best is over".

More delay on EE implementation in more structured framework and holistic approach, more Malaysia will lose through energy wastage especially among intensive energy users. More waste of energy will mean more waste in money in money for subsidies as well.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Still so much to do since the ministry's through the Sec. Gen is taking the stand to work in isolation so far for the plan that  need to be proposed to the government instead of working  together with industry players and other stakeholders for EE.


It was a disappointing day  but at least we are much more clear on what is exactly has been the source of the problem for a workable National EE straregic plan to go further to the goverment.
I just need to digest all these inputs and try to figure out with others on what's next for us because giving up on these "little Napoleons" absolutely not an option.

The struggle continues for EE...

REVISITING THE PROPOSED NATIONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY MASTER PLAN FOR MALAYSIA

Another silent treatment by the responsible ministry on energy about the plan after they shocked us by publishing quietly  the so-called self modified and copy and paste document that they called it as a draft National Energy Efficiency Action Plan for public comment.

It was not strange to see there was no or very little follow-ups by the mainstream media on the plan because the immediate responses from stakeholders were not in the favor of the ministry at all and also that will reflect badly to the federal government.

Here I would like to share some objective coverage by some alternative online media portals on the plan.

With all the responses, finally they extended the deadline for the submission of comments and feedback in few more weeks.

Despite all the inaction of the ministry on the initial documents called Draft National EE Master Plan(NEEMP), EE related individual professionals, activists and organizations from various industry groups, professional bodies and NGOs did send their feedback objectively based on the published draft NEEAP which can be downloaded from http://www.kettha.gov.my/kettha/portal/document/files/NEEAP%20For%20Comments%20Final%20January%202014.pdf.


I did hear some news circulated among EE fraternity that that one of the immediate action will be taken by the ministry with regard to the draft NEEAP was to call for engagement with stakeholders once they have received and consolidated all comments and inputs after the deadline.
It sounded very positive and with new appointment of the Deputy Secretary General in about the same period might shed some light into the subject.
....months has passed after the 28 February 2014 deadline.

I knew that the so-called expert in the ministry who drafted the document was transferred to the Ministry Of Education not long after the deadline and efforts to check on what's next have been faced with only silent treatment or promise after promise that they will call for a dialogue with stakeholders.

So, where can we move from here...and frankly speaking...I don't know.

However, to refresh our memory, I would like to share again promises that have been made on the same subject in past publicly and captured by most mainstream media as well( may be because such news will increase the popularity of the government in that period).

Those are  promises or  merely lip services to sound an look good  or a just lies to Malaysians?


So, who is accountable for all those statements and who will drive energy efficiency  for the sake of the nation now?
If they are not interested to do jobs that are supposed to be theirs and paid by us as tax payers...who will?

TYPICAL QUESTIONS FROM PROSPECTS IN EPC-SHARED SAVING PROJECTS IMPLEMENTATION IN MALAYSIA

TYPICAL QUESTIONS FROM PROSPECTS IN ENERGY PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING-SHARED SAVING PROJECTS IMPLEMENTATION IN MALAYSIA AND KEY POINTS IN ANSWERS 

I have been involved in EPC projects since year 2001 with small scale investments at commercial building and industrial facilities until now with bigger investments and more comprehensive energy conservation solutions involved.

Here I would like to share some questions that I often faced with prospects for technical personnel and mostly non technical groups(who are decision makers) and even with existing clients for projects that I have been involved and how possibly we can answer each of the question.

In general, Malaysian companies and government facilities are still very "shy" on the EPC option for implementing big scale energy conservation project despite some successful projects implemented at MNCs which are based here.

I hope this tips will help others because as industry players in Malaysia , ESCOs need to paint the right picture of EPC projects to the market that will erase their doubts on risks and negative perception about the feasibility of EPC for their facilities.

Q1. HOW THE ACTUAL SAVINGS IS MEASURED?

Answer:

·   The saving will be determined based on actual measured data collected using agreed measurement method (mostly permanent meters) to be compared with the agreed baselines data.

·  Energy saving reports based on actual measured data will be submitted on monthly basis to the owner.

· All energy saving measurements will follow the international method, International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP).

·  The owner is allowed to engage independent parties to measure and verify data using the same method.

 Q2. Assurance about the performance of the equipment/ systems such as lighting especially with the fast changing in lighting technologies?

Answer:

· ESCOs are responsible to ensure the best and the most economical technologies throughout the contract period to maximize savings that will benefit them and the owners of the facilities.

· The facilities will be able to change to any other technologies after the contract ended the fitting for lighting systems are generic and easily fitted with other types of lamps.

Q3.WHAT IF THE ENERGY SAVING ACHIEVED IS LESS THAN PROMISED BY THE ESCO AND VICE VERSA?

Answer:

·   If the saving achieved is less, the owner  will only need to pay the ESCO  actual saving achieved and the ESCO  will take the full risks to get less  returns in its investment until the contract ended or  the owner can terminate the contract with sufficient notice for the ESCO to take back all equipment installed at their own costs and bring back the operation of the facilities into its initial conditions; or

·      To renegotiate the contract period and conditions.

Q4.WHAT IF THE ELECTRICITY TARIFF RATES INCREASED THROUGHOUT THE CONTRACT PERIOD?

Answer:

·     If the owner agrees to tie the contract to the tariff increase, the contract period will be shorter and the owner will be able to enjoy the 100% saving achieved earlier.

Q5.WHAT IF THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES OF OPERATIONS IN THE FACILITIES?

Answer:

• All data will be collected and the baseline to be reviewed to accommodate those changes based on discussion and agreement between the ESCO and the owner.

Q6.HOW ABOUT ENERGY SAVINGS ACHIEVED BY OWN INITIATIVES BY THE OWNER THROUGHOUT THE CONTRACT PERIOD?

Answer:

• The ESCO’s and the owner’s personnel will closely communicating to update on all energy related activities that may affect the actual saving achieved from the ESCO’s projects. A suitable method will be proposed and discussed to resolve it.

Q7. WHO WILL BEAR THE COSTS FOR MAINTENANCE AND SPARE PARTS OF EQUIPMENT INSTALLED BY THE ESCO IN THE PROJECT?

Answer:

• All costs for maintenance and spare parts for all system and equipment installed by the ESCO will be borne by the ESCO.

Q8. WHAT IF THE  PROJECT FAILED AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT SITUATION

Answer:

·  If  the ESCO fail to deliver or the project caused serious problems to the facilities which could not be resolved, the ESCO will remove all  equipment  from the facilities  at its own cost and bring the operation back to normal; or

· Delayed to resolve any technical problems or other issues, the ESCO will request to renegotiate the contract where longer period of contract may be needed to complete the project.

· All responsibilities by the ESCO will be clearly stipulated in the contract terms and conditions to mitigate all possible consequences where the ESCO will be accountable to fix it or bring it back to the normal conditions at its own cost.

Q9.WHY DON’T THE ESCO INSTALL EVERYTHING AND RUN FOR 3 MONTHS AND LATER THE OWNER WILL SIGN THE EPC CONTRACT?

· The ESCO need to have the signed agreement to secure funding from investors for the project.

·  There must be provisions in the contract that will allow the owner to instruct the ESCO to dismantle everything with sufficient notice or whenever the ESCO fail to fulfill its contractual obligations.

Q10. WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE CONTRACT PERIOD?

Answer:

• All system and equipment installed will be handed over and owned by the owner;
• The owner will enjoy the 100% saving from the energy saving measures implemented;
• The owner may engage the ESCO to for specified support services at agreed and common service rates for maintenance and reporting.

Q11.  COULD THE ESCO PROVIDE COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR THE LED LIGHTINGS, POWER METERS, AND VSDS ETC?

Answer:

·   The ESCO  could not since the ESCO  could not let others supplying any equipment in all proposed energy saving measures where the ESCO  have to ensure the quality and performances for each equipment/system to get the guaranteed saving results

· The ESCO will also take all the risks by guaranteeing functionality of each equipment/system to be used in the solution to achieve intended saving targets.

·  The cost of each equipment is sourced to ensure the project is financially attractive for sides, the ESCO and the owner. Details of the financial analysis and costs involved will be shared during the EPC contract negotiations with the owner’s finance department.

Q12. HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THE ESCO IS CAPABLE OF IMPLEMENTING EPC PROJECTS?

Answer:

Key selection criteria of ESCO to perform EPC projects:

· The ability of the qualified and competent management and technical personnel of the ESCO to manage and execute EPC projects;

·    The financial strength of the company to fund a project either by using internal financial resources or loans from financial institutions, and

· Track record and experience in implementing projects with EPC concept including the scale of investment in the projects.

As a guide, the Malaysian Association of Energy Services Company (MAESCO) has proposed a list of criteria to evaluate an ESCO that can be used as a reference or based on feedback and experiences of its members in implementing EPC projects.

A summary of the proposed criteria include the following:

·   The minimum paid-up capital and financial position ESCO - to ensure that the ESCO has enough basic financial strength to be considered by the bank for any financing;

·  The need to have a top management and technical teams with minimum qualifications and experiences in project implementation Energy Conservation projects especially with EPC model;

· The need to have permanent technical support groups to implement the proposed energy conservation projects;

·  The need to have the basic equipment  for conducting detailed energy audit.

In addition to the criteria mentioned above, other important criteria to ensure that the qualifications and capability of an ESCO to implement the EPC projects particularly in the government sector are as follows:

·   The Company has been registered with the Energy Commission as an ESCO;

·  Must be registered with the Ministry of Finance as a provider of services under the Green Technology Code 222 801;

· To submit a record and information about EPC projects ever and is being implemented as a reference mainly involving large-scale investments;

·  Submission of proposed method for the measurement and monitoring of energy savings each month on a regular basis over the term of the EPC contract to be implemented. The method of calculating the energy savings achieved must be based on the actual measurement of the difference in total energy consumption before and after implementation of the proposed energy conservation project;

·  Be prepared to conduct a detailed energy audit of buildings at no cost and no guarantee for the appointment to implement EPC project by  the owner of the building.

Newly Elected Committee Members of MAESCO for 2014-2016

Congratulation to all who have been elected again to step up to the challenge in promoting significant of Energy Efficiency(EE) to the nation,  business communities and to all Malaysians and to continue  working to all parties to develop energy efficiency industry.

MAESCO was born since 2001 and has come across and involved in various EE initiatives by government and private sectors in Malaysia. Details on objectives and other information about MAESCO is available at www.maesco.org.my.

I have been a committee member of MAESCO through an election in 2012 and later assigned to be responsible for the Government Liaison portfolio and believe that was due to my prior  involvement  with MAESCO since my time at Energy Commission, KeTTHA and lastly SEDA Malaysia in many EE initiatives.

Elected Committee members of MAESCO for 2014-2016.

ESCOs are business entities and like a typical industry association, MAESCO's prime objectives are mostly with regard to the development of energy services industry that will benefits its members. However, with the current EE industry scenario, there has been little progress that will create more interests for more players to  venture seriously into this industry. With little options left, most members have to opt to offer other services and products for them to stay afloat and remain profitable as companies.

The common perception is, who would not be interested to save energy since that will be something good to any company or to anyone. That was the same impression that I had when I chose my career in EE many years ago but is it that simple and straight forward?

It is not and challenges and resistance that we have been facing over the years have been converted into more positive energy where we are  aware that still there are plenty for us to do to ensure EE will be  in the mainstream as attractive and productive industry to be in.

Today on 5 May, 2014 at Saujana Hotel, Subang , me and fellow EE practitioners and industry players were elected again for the term of 2014 to 2016 to soldier on pursuing EE agenda with our best efforts and commitment for EE industry  for better and greener Malaysia.

Here I would like to share some photos from the event where beside the 13th AGM, MAESCO has also launched the publication titled Energy Audit Guidelines which was written by MAESCO members itself. Before the launching, there were also specially invited guess speakers who shared some updates of some energy efficiency projects by the government from JKR.

Program agenda

Keynotes and welcoming speech by the President

Launching gimmick by En. Elmi from Energy Commission

The cover of the energy audit guideline

My role was to recite the prayer before the event started

Updates on BSEEP from Dato' Ir. Dr. Roslan from JKR

Dialogue with Ir. Hamizan on EPC from JKR

The start of the AGM by the President

Election on new committee members

With all MAESCO members' representatives