Malaysia Shifts Focus from Energy Supply to Consumption with Green Building Practices

The Government of Malaysia has made a significant pivot in its energy policy, transitioning from increasing energy supply to meet demand to reducing energy consumption through the promotion of green building practices. The Eleventh Malaysian Plan includes three indicators to monitor green building performance, including electricity consumption. A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Technology aimed to monitor the progress of energy savings among green building sectors in Malaysia by reviewing current energy-saving performance and quantifying the economic prospect of future energy-saving improvements.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that green residential buildings have the potential to improve annual cooling loads and lighting loads by 18%-25%, and 5% respectively.
• Green commercial buildings have the potential to improve annual cooling loads by 4%, leading to savings in annual electricity bills by around USD37.
• The improvements would save household electricity bills by approximately USD13 to USD171 annually.
• Vegetated green envelope components are promising in providing the highest energy savings.
• The study concluded that there is huge potential in maximizing energy savings for residential and industrial buildings in Malaysia.
• It is highly recommended to implement vegetated green envelopes for green buildings in Malaysia.

Statistics:

• 18%-25%: Potential improvement in annual cooling loads for green residential buildings
• 5%: Potential improvement in annual lighting loads for green residential buildings
• USD13-USD171: Potential annual savings in household electricity bills for green residential buildings
• USD37: Potential annual savings in electricity bills for green commercial buildings
• 4%: Potential improvement in annual cooling loads for green commercial buildings

Sources:

• Improving Present-day Energy Savings Among Green Building Sector In Malaysia Using Benefit Transfer Approach: Cooling and Lighting Loads. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2021;137.
• University of Technology, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Real Estate, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia.
• Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England.