Energy Info Highlights 2003

Malaysia’s total available capacity as at the end of 2003 was at 19,296.7 MW, higher by 23 percent from 15,671.0 MW in 2002. This is partly attributed to the full commissioning of 2,100 MW Janamanjung coal plant and two new gas-based independent power producers (IPPs) plants at Kuala Sanglang, Perlis and Prai with a combined installed capacity of 1,000 MW. In addition, the conversion of 640 MW at GB3 power plant from open cycle to combined cycle had also been completed. Electricity generation registered at 82,406.1 GWh an increased of 6.3 percent from 77,501.6 GWh in 2002. The peak demand for Peninsular Malaysia was at 11,329 MW, Sarawak 643 MW while Sabah 479 MW. The figures of peak demand for Sarawak and Sabah were based on grid-connected system only.

In terms of electricity generation mix; the share of natural gas as energy input in power stations declined to 65.3 percent from 68.6 percent despite the full commissioning of two new IPPs gas power plants. This was due to significant increased in share of coal from 14.0 percent in 2002 to 24.6 percent in 2003. As a result, shares of hydropower and diesel oil decreased marginally to 6.3 percent and 1.5 percent respectively while share of fuel oil also declined from 7.5 percent to 2.3 percent during the same period.

The total electricity consumption for Malaysia recorded a growth of 6.2 percent from 66,991.4 GWh in 2002 to 71,160.6 GWh in 2003. The growth in electricity demand was shared equally among residential, commercial as well as industrial sectors, which recorded more or less, similar growth.

In 2003, total final energy demand recorded at 34,586 ktoe, increased by 3.9 percent compared to 5.6 percent in 2002 due to increased in industrial and transport sectors. Transport sector remained as the leading consumer of final energy accounting for 41.3 percent after registering an increased of 6.2 percent of growth. The share of industrial sector also increased to 39.0 percent after recording 4.8 percent growth from previous year. The growth was largely contributed by the manufacturing sector, which was supported by increase in exports and strong domestic demand. The share of both residential and commercial sectors remained about 13 percent during the same period.

Analysis on the demand of fuel type showed petroleum products decreased marginally from 62.0 percent in 2002 to 61.2 percent in 2003. Of this share, motor petrol and diesel were the major contributors at around 34.9 percent and 40.3 percent respectively. The share of natural gas stabilized at 17.0 percent and electricity at 18.3 percent in year 2003.

Overall, growth in the energy sector was driven by both supply and demand factors. The supply growth was driven by three major factors. First, the commissioned of four new power plants, which resulted an increase of total installed capacity in the power sector. Second, higher import level of coal for coal power plant and the completion of PETRONAS’s third LNG plant (MLNG3) in Bintulu to support higher demand of LNG.

On the demand side, almost all sectors exhibited growth in their consumption of energy for the year 2003 with industrial and transport making their mark due to growth of manufacturing and construction sectors. These developments contribute towards expansion of the Malaysian energy sector.