Malaysian Consumers Turning to Green Tech to Cut Costs

Consumers in Malaysia are tightening their belts and counting their pennies when it comes to energy costs. Right now they are feeling the pinch and are seriously looking into to cost effective alternatives as the government announces a 15.89 percent increase in electricity charges.

Ivan Chua an IT specialist says that the new power tariff rise was too sudden. “If the Government had to increase the power tariff, I would not mind if it was done gradually. A sudden hike will only make life harder for us as the prices of other goods such as sugar and petrol have increased recently as well,” he said.

Just this week the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry announced a 4.99 sen per kWh (14.89 percent) increase in the average power tariff in peninsular Malaysia. There is also a 5 sen/kWh (16.9 percent) in Sabah and Labuan. The increases will go into effect on Jan. 1.

Consumers who use electricity at a rate of, or lower than 300kWh a month will see no rate increase. 

Roanna Wong, a housewife says that she takes simple steps to cut back on her electricity usage. She says simply turning off lights after use and pulling out plugs from outlets that aren’t being used can make a difference in your monthly electric bills.

Wong says, “Even though the cost of electricity is rising, we have to learn and adapt to the situation. A lot of energy-saving techniques like reducing the use of air-conditioners only require a little discipline and sacrifice."

More consumers are turning to energy-efficient LED lighting. Using LED lights can save consumers as much as 75 percent in energy usage. LED bulbs use only 4V-8V of electricity where regular fluorescent bulbs use 36V-42V. Filament bulbs use more than 100V.

Chua Eng Ka a MG Electrical store sales supervisor says that he expects business to drop due to the rise in electricity costs. “Consumers are getting interested in inver­ter technology to reduce energy consumption. Refrigerators and air conditioners using inver­ter technology will save 40 percent to 80 percent in energy use,” he said.

Ministry secretary-general Datuk Loo Took Gee explains that the increase should not be a reason for food-based industries to raise prices of their products and services. Those industries are among those who have the lowest energy usage.

“Electric component only contributes about 1.8 percent to the consumer price index (CPI), so for each RM100 spent, the cost of electric component is only RM1.80,” Gee told the Parliament lobby.

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry minister, agrees with Gee stating that electricity was not extensively used in most farming activities. He too sees no need for a rise in the price of farm products.