摘要
Demand for power in Malaysia is projected to double the current demand in 2030. The current fuel mix for power generation is heavily dependent on fossil fuels. This has created energy supply and environmental sustainability concerns to the industry. Furthermore, at the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009-15th Conference of Parties （COP15）, Malaysia had given the commitment to voluntary reduction of up to 40% in terms of emissions intensity of GDP by the year 2020 compared to 2005 levels. Renewable energy （RE） provides the best alternative in addressing these issues. In 2001, RE was regarded as the fifth fuel in the new Five Fuel Strategy of the National Energy Policy. Small Renewable Energy Program （SREP） was launched with the main objective of supporting the government＇s strategy to intensify the development of RE as the fifth fuel resource. Biomass, the largest amongst the main RE resources available, can be used for heat and power generation. With optimum utilization, the value ofbiomass resources in Malaysia is estimated to be more than RM 500 billion （USD 156 billion） over the next 20 years. Malaysia has the capacity to use renewable energy resources to address the national energy agenda.
