Malaysia, Indonesia must lead on RE to defend palm oil industry

Cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia in the renewable energy (RE) sector is capable of countering negative propaganda against the global palm oil industry.

Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, said Malaysia can play an important role by sharing the success of green gas production technology through the Centralised Biomethane Injection Station in Kluang, Johor.

“This technology is very important, so if people come and see it, they will be amazed and see it as good. I’m confident our neighbour (Indonesia) has 50 million in production.

If we can establish ties between these two countries and share the technology we are using, they will definitely become like us.

When they become like us, the entire ecosystem will be sustainable. No one can attack palm oil,” he said at a press conference in conjunction with the launch ceremony of the Centralised Biomethane Injection Station here today.

Also present was the Chairman of Gas Malaysia Berhad, Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin.

Through the technology led by Gas Malaysia, palm oil waste, including brown effluent from palm oil mills and empty fruit bunches, will be processed to produce biogas.

The biogas will then be purified into pure biomethane and sent to the said station before being injected into the natural gas pipeline system for industrial use.

This technology enables a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, generates clean energy, and supports the circular economy as well as sustainable environmental development.

Meanwhile, he said the efforts undertaken by the ministry are in line with the country’s aspiration to reduce methane gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.

“We have 450 mills (producing palm oil). From these 450 mills, if we take the average standard of 60 tonnes per hour for each mill, it can produce almost 1,000 megawatts of energy.

From waste materials — so that’s what I’m emphasising, that this is part of the strategy we’re implementing to achieve the country’s goals,” he said.

He said the goals include Malaysia’s global commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and 45 per cent from the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“So the methane gas we want to reduce is one of the strategies we’re implementing in the palm oil industry.

The role of Gas Malaysia is very important — we brought them in, and this becomes part of the circular economy,” he said.

Tags: green gas, waste, biogas, Indonesia, Malaysia, palm oil, renewable energy