Bio-methane also known as biogas is derived from agricultural waste, sewerage gas, landfills, palm oil mill effluent (POME) and cattle manure.  In 2012, the government introduced Feed-In-Tariffs (FiT) for electricity generated from renewable energy including bio-methane (biogas).

Electricity from bio-methane (biogas) remains the least developed renewable energy source in Malaysia due to high capital costs to purchase generators to burn the bio-methane. However, the investment cost for bio-methane (biogas) capture, storage and transport is extremely minimal.

Government should not limit the definition of renewable energy solely to electricity but also recognise bio-methane (biogas) as a renewable energy source under FiT. Hence, the government should purchase the bio-methane (biogas) instead of the electricity itself to be burned in traditional gas power plants.  

The bio-methane (biogas) will displace the demand of fossil-methane burnt in traditional gas power plants reducing Malaysia’s green-house gas emissions from fossil fuel. The increase in investment for bio-methane (biogas) capture and transport will create new skilled jobs in rural areas.

Farmers will be able to monetise their agricultural waste and cattle manure boosting the rural economy rather than burning the agriculture waste which causes many environmental problems.

SHARAN RAJ
National Coordinator
Bureau for Environment & Climate Crisis
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
&
State Secretary 
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM Melaka)