Air pollution and violence in society also listed in Top 3 Environmental issues list
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA -- June 1st, 2011 -- An overwhelming 7 in 10 people interviewed in a GE Energy-commissioned poll listed 'Global Warming' as one of their top 3 environmental concerns. The poll, which saw responses from 350+ Malaysians representing a cross section of society, listed in second and third place respectively 'Violence in Society' and 'Air Pollution.'
About half of the poll respondents identified the 'burning of fossil fuels like coal, diesel and gas for power generation' as one of the top causes of air pollution, with 4 in 5 concurring that renewable energy was 'less polluting' and 'sustainable'. Nine in 10 stated that renewable energy was necessary if we care about the environment.
Awareness of solar energy as a source of renewable energy was highest, followed by awareness of wind, hydro and biomass.
"We're pleased to know that there is strong public awareness and support for renewable energy in Malaysia. We believe widespread acceptance is a key to reaching Malaysia's goal to have renewable energy comprise at least 5% of its total power generation by 2015," says Ahmad Hadri Haris, Leader of the National Renewable Energy Project.
Nearly three quarters of respondents believed that renewable energy (RE) would be costly to install, though more than half understood that the maintenance of RE would be cost effective in the long run.
According to Venkat Kannan, Director of Energy Services for GE Energy ASEAN, Malaysia's recent adoption of a Renewable Energy (RE) Act followed by the creation of a RE Fund and Feed-in Tariffs are extremely promising, not just for businesses but for individuals.
Venkat said, "The most important thing for the successful development of a renewable energy (RE) industry is policy stability and transparency, and the RE Act promises to deliver both. Investors will benefit from the obligation by utilities to purchase all RE generated in the market, as well as from the set price that utilities will have to pay for RE. The proposed fixed price mechanism for a period of 16-21 years provides a stable framework that would enable businesses and even households to obtain financing to generate power from renewable sources such as solar."
Even more encouraging, said Kannan, is the provision for adequate degression of feed-in tariff rates so that renewable energy producers will be driven to attain greater efficiencies and sustainability over time. The setting up of a Renewable Energy Fund to pay feed-in tariffs for the entire period of the feed-in tariff contract would also be welcomed by potential investors and financiers.
"Judging from our poll results, Malaysians are aware of the polluting and rapidly depleting aspect of fossil fuels and understand the need to invest in a cleaner future for their families and for themselves. This is a promising development coming on the heels of Parliament's recent passing of the RE bill" said Venkat.
Worldwide, over 80 countries including Malaysia have set RE targets, with at least 50 having enacted feed-in tariffs. In 2009, the European Union led all regions in having renewables account for nearly 60% of newly installed power capacity and nearly 20% of annual power production. By 2035, China is expected to be the world leader in wind and solar PV technologies.
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*** Polling for this survey was conducted by InsightAsia, an independent pan Asia research company. Discover the Difference Between Information and Insight. www.insightasia.com The survey was designed to gauge public awareness of and consumer perceptions on renewable energy. In total, 1420 people were surveyed in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.***
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