Transitioning to modern energy systems presents a daunting challenge, as virtually every facet of our daily lives hinges on energy. This journey is bound to be intricate and complex for every country. Thankfully, governments worldwide – including Malaysia – have a resounding global consensus that traditional energy systems are inherently vulnerable, disadvantageously centralised, and financially burdensome.

The transitional challenge that stakeholders and decision-makers have been grappling with is threefold: striking a balance between environmental sustainability, ensuring energy security, and delivering energy affordability.

Successfully navigating this “energy trilemma” demands interdisciplinary expertise, effective policy implementation, and unwavering stakeholder commitment if Malaysia is to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Accelerating Malaysia’s transition towards carbon neutrality and energy sustainability with the power of technology and innovation makes economic sense, and puts us on a path towards a better, greener future for generations to come.

As a technology leader, Huawei is steadfast in its determination to stand by the country’s aspirations in driving this transformative endeavour.

Renewable energy makes economic sense

The economic rationale for renewable energy is compelling. Jobs in the sector are on the rise. The surge in demand for talent in the renewable energy sector mirrors the urgency to transition to cleaner sources amid the alarming effects of climate change.

According to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), jobs in the renewable energy sector soared to 12.7 million globally in 2023, reflecting the sector’s rapid expansion and potential for sustainable employment.

The once-perceived barrier of high entry costs to adopt renewable energy technologies is steadily diminishing, heralding a significant shift in accessibility. Put simply, prices are plummeting. 

On the other hand, finite fossil fuel source extraction has become more challenging and costs are steadily rising. In contrast, renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, are readily and abundantly available natural resources and more importantly, they are essentially free.

Solar panel prices are at an all-time low and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are becoming increasingly cost-effective due to ongoing technological enhancements and intensified market competition.

The figures that are clocking in on Malaysia’s carbon footprint read at approximately 272.9 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2022. By 2023, Huawei facilitated the reduction of 1.81 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. This was made possible by the entry of 2.6 gigawatts (GW) of solar inverters into the Malaysian market, generating approximately 3.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

Huawei’s Digital Power Business contributed to 84.5 billion kWh of green power generation in the Asia Pacific region, reducing carbon emissions equivalent to the planting of 50 million trees.

Technology: The Key to Navigating the Trilemma

New technologies are the key to meaningfully navigating the “energy trilemma”, both to lower the carbon footprint of outmoded energy systems and to develop modern, sustainable alternatives.

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) empowers us to decarbonise our energy systems by enhancing connectivity, intelligence, efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.

Huawei Digital Power’s strategic approach to facilitate society’s transition from high-carbon to low-carbon is anchored in the integration of cutting-edge digital technology (Bit), electronic power technology (Watt), thermal management technology (Heat), and energy storage systems (ESS) management technology (Battery).

Termed collectively as the “4T” technologies (WatT, HeaT, BatTery, and BiT) the aim is to drive Malaysia towards the “4D” trajectory: Decarbonisation, Digitalisation, Decentralisation, and Democratisation, thus shaping a more sustainable and inclusive energy landscape for the nation.

Huawei aims to drive watts with bits towards building a fully connected smart grid and bridging the energy divide to power the digital world.

Collaborations in decarbonisation

In pursuit of the “4D” trajectory, collaborations are fundamental. Guided by our strategic framework, Huawei has initiated numerous collaborations with local stakeholders and government agencies on renewable energy projects.

We are partnering with AmBank on financing and merchant business solutions to support and facilitate the introduction of Solar Energy, Green Data Centres, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging, and Energy Storage solutions to businesses.

With Pantas, the leading climate-tech firm in Southeast Asia, we are collaborating on enterprise decarbonisation applications for businesses. Our focus in this partnership, as technology providers, will be on Smart PV+ESS and FusionCharge solutions while Pantas undertakes the role of strategic partner in business development.

We have also joined forces with Senheng and Apulsar to promote electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Malaysia, utilising Huawei’s advanced EV chargers.

Additionally, our commitment to human capital development ensures a skilled workforce adept in renewable energy technologies. Our Huawei ICT Academy bridges the gap between education and industry needs while collaborative training programmes like the one with the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (“CENTEXS”) on developing green talent as well as the Digital Leadership Excellence Programme with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to nurture talent leadership.

These initiatives are but some of the many projects Huawei is involved in. Every initiative represents a positive stride that strengthens energy security and nurtures a sustainable ecosystem for the nation.

A holistic approach to carbon neutrality goals

Our holistic approach, combining advanced technology, industry partnerships, and education, has the potential to drive meaningful change and accelerate progress towards Malaysia’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal.

We can boost renewable energy production by embracing smart PV solutions, grid technologies, and energy storage systems while ensuring fair access for all.

By facilitating financing and investments into sustainable energy projects, we can make green technologies affordable for all segments of society.

Just last April, the Government of Malaysia announced that it would establish an Energy Exchange Malaysia (“ENEGEM“) to facilitate cross-border sales of green electricity to neighbouring countries, namely Singapore and Thailand. This will promote growth in the industry and lead to the adoption of the latest green energy technologies to propel Malaysia into a regional hub for the development of RE experts and capabilities.

In terms of talent cultivation, our training programmes and knowledge-sharing initiatives aim to build a sustainable high-skilled workforce that can lead the transition to future-focused technology.

Huawei aspires to lead by example as both a stakeholder and technology provider in addressing the intricate energy trilemma.  Achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality will require the collective efforts of all industry players. We must create an ecosystem and we all need to be partners as well as players in this ecosystem. Huawei will continue to be a trusted partner and work with our partners across the industry value chain towards a better and greener Malaysia.