Can Clean Energy Save Us from Climate Change?

Three clean energy leaders weigh in on the state of the environment and what can we do to save the planet

- Chong Jinn Xiung

The United Nations has issued a stark warning that current global commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions would still put the planet at risk for an average 2.7-degree Celsius increase in temperature by this century.

This is compounded by a global energy crisis that has resulted in power shortages across major economies. Already, factories in China were forced to shut down while the price of natural gas prices surged to record levels and could derail Europe’s economic recovery.

Analysts are blaming the energy crunch on several factors including the sharp rise in demand due to the economic rebound from the pandemic, thereby depleting power reserves. FatHopes Energy founder and chief executive officer Vinesh Sinha believes that Europe is facing this situation because it has been too dependent on natural gas for energy. This illustrates the urgent need to move away from fossil fuels and towards alternative forms of energy like solar, wind, hydropower and even nuclear.

“Both wind and solar are viable renewable energy sources to consider, but we need to diversify our energy supply,” Sinha cautions.

Good news. The use of renewable energy is slowly expanding across Southeast Asia, says solar company Plus Xnergy Holding group chief executive officer Ko Chuan Zhen. He says Malaysia has the potential to be Southeast Asia’s renewable energy champion, specifically for solar power.

The government has announced plans to increase the share of renewable energy in the country to 31 per cent by 2025. That would be an increase from the current 4,430 megawatt (MW) to 10,944 MW in the next 15 years.