DR Mahathir Mohamad has questioned Putrajaya’s decision to only allow non-renewable energy exports to neighbouring Singapore.

He said it also did not make sense for the government to prohibit the sale of power to the island through self-developed transmission and interconnection facilities. 

He added that it would benefit Malaysia to allow the sale of renewable energy to the island-state. 

“It is generally known that we export water to Singapore for 3 sen per thousand gallons. We are also aware of the smuggling of sand (to Singapore). 

“If we can export renewable energy from sun and wind, we will not lose anything. 

“I don’t understand the government’s policy. With this decision, it will impact our investment and job opportunities,” the former prime minister said in a blog posting.

The government’s new policy was announced by the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry last week.

The ministry also said the government decided to review the Guide for Cross-Border Electricity Sales issued by its Energy Commission to expand its purview over the two energy and power sources.

The statement said the government has also agreed that the wheeling charges for selling electricity to Singapore over a two-year trial period will be US$0.0228 (RM0.10) per kilowatt hour. 

“The decision was made to boost the development of the local renewable energy (RE) industry as Malaysia aspires to reach its climate change aspirations. 

“It will also allow the government to allocate additional solar quota to benefit Malaysian RE players,” it said. – October 27, 2021.