Wind Energy Is Being Explored As Energy Option

LUMUT, Oct 1 -- The Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water is exploring the potential of using wind as a source of renewable energy in Malaysia.

Its minister, Datuk Peter Chin, said the Ministry of Science, Technolgy and Innovation was undertaking tests in several parts of Malaysia to access its viability.

In terms of nuclear energy option in Malaysia, Chin said wind energy has the potential to be developed as a source of electricity in 15 to 20 years.

" We will visit Korea to obtain first hand information on nuclear electricity power generation development there," he said during a visit to IMPSA (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd manufacturing facilities in Lumut, Perak.

On electricity tariffs, Chin said there would be another round of review in December and it would not necessarily mean an increase in tariffs.

In the previous tariff revision in June, the government decided not to increase electricity tariffs in view of the country's economic situation.

On the Bakun hydroelectric dam, Chin said the government was committed to ensuring the successful roll-out of the project expected to be fully commissioned by 2012.

Chin disclosed that IMPSA, one of the largest manufacturerers of hydropower plant components in Malaysia, was fabricating equipment for the Bakun dam project at its factory in Lumut.