Kuala lumpur: Mosques nationwide have been urged to apply for rooftop solar installations under the Solar Accelerated Transition Action Programme (ATAP), launched on January 1, to expand the use of Renewable Energy (RE) in line with the country's energy transition targets. Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad emphasized the suitability of rooftop solar installations for mosques with high electricity bills, which typically range from RM1,000 to RM1,500.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Abdul Rahman acknowledged that while there is no current subsidy for rooftop solar installations in mosques, the long-term savings make solar installation a prudent choice. The cost of solar installation starts from RM60,000 to RM70,000, with potential savings reaching up to 80 per cent. "If the bill is RM1,000, it means we only need to pay RM200 per month," he said during a Special Chamber session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Abdul Rahman highlighted that the ATAP is essential for supporting the country's efforts to increase RE capacity to 35 per cent by 2030 and 70 per cent of electricity generation capacity from RE sources by 2050. Regarding the proposal to mandate the integration of renewable energy sources into the construction of new mosques and schools, he stated that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the state government and the Education Ministry. However, his ministry is ready to assist any party interested in installing solar panels and energy storage systems in their institutions.
He also mentioned that the ministry is prepared to engage with the community, including imams, village heads, and women, to explain the country's energy transition targets by 2030 and 2050. Despite these initiatives, he added that the government has no plans for a solar installation program specifically for the B40 group, as solar panel installations typically target premises with bills exceeding RM300 per month.
Abdul Rahman further noted that efforts to make renewable energy a national agenda are being pursued through a comprehensive approach that includes infrastructure development, educational interventions, and behavioral change via the Malaysian Energy Literacy Programme (MELP). The MELP's implementation involves schools, institutions of higher learning, and the general public in collaboration with various stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, and industry partners.