Malaysia opts to adopt wave energy for electricity generation after solar

After solar and wind, Malaysia is considering adopting wave energy for electricity generation.

This plan comes as the Southeast Asian country has an extensive coastline, which is suitable for exploiting ocean wave energy. In recent times, wave energy has been claimed as a viable renewable resource.

As per the local estimations, Malaysia has the capacity to generate a significant amount of wave energy, which can even fulfil one to four times the country’s power demands.

A local report mentioned that the country Malaysia could exploit this renewable resource which could be helpful for its energy transition goal.

They have called for research and development and investment in wave energy technologies and infrastructure, which can diversify the renewable energy portfolio.

It comes at a time when a research article stated that “theoretical annual energy potential of waves along the coasts of the US reaches an astonishing 2.64 trillion kilowatthours (kWh). This figure is equivalent to about 64 % of the total US utility-scale electricity generation in 2021, making it evident that waves possess vast untapped power.”

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the installed wave energy capacity was limited to only 2.31MW in 2020.