All 16 companies have implemented energy efficiency (EE) measures and the other six facilities installed the solar thermal system have managed to reduce total lifetime Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions to 995,554 tonnes.
The companies are mainly from textile factory; processing factory; pharmaceutical; pulp and paper factory; rubber; metal surface treatment; petrochemical and chemical processing; and hospital.
MAEESTA is an initiative by UNIDO with its goal to reduce GHG emissions in the industry by advocating and demonstrating sector-specific EE improvements. The project aimed to use solar thermal technologies to align with the nation’s ambition and commitment to become a carbon-neutral nation by early 2050.
The Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Dato' Sri Dr. Adham Baba said, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) views the GHG emissions seriously as a national issue and challenge. The National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (NSTIP) 2021-2030 has been developed last year to introduce the concept of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Economics (STIE) demonstrating the significance of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) development as a foundation for national economic growth.
The goal of the NSTIP 2021-2030 is to transform industry and society from technology users to technology developers by maximising existing resources. The empowerment of local talent, research and development (R&D) in national strategic areas, legislation and regulations that support the development of STIs, and the upgrading of technology infrastructure.
“MOSTI welcomes any introduction and implementation of a more effective industrial technologies and services that can reduce GHG emissions, thereby ensuring the environmental sustainability of the country,” he said in his keynote speech at the Terminal Event and Certificate Presentation Ceremony UNIDO MAEESTA here, today.
The project was implemented in July 2014 by UNIDO and funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF) whereas SIRIM Berhad works as the executing agency, providing seminars, user training and experts training to various subsectors.
President and Group Chief Executive of SIRIM Berhad, Dato’ Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad said, SIRIM as the project national executing agency for MAEESTA is entrusted to host the Project Management Unit (PMU) which is responsible for the daily management project activities or execution and act as secretariat to the National Project Steering Committee (NPSC) chaired by MOSTI.
“I would like to highlight that out of the six facility projects completed under UNIDO MAEESTA programme, SIRIM technical team was greatly involved in three of the projects at PPNJ Poultry and Meat Sdn. Bhd.; MIWA Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. and NB Poultry Processing Industries Sdn. Bhd.,” he said in his speech at the Terminal Event and Certificate Presentation Ceremony UNIDO MAEESTA here, today. The speech was read by Senior Vice President of SIRIM Industrial Research, Mohd Azanuddin Salleh.
During the event, 14 industries that participated in MAEESTA received certificates of appreciation and 19 experts who have passed the UNIDO Final Examination on Thermal Energy Efficiency and Solar Thermal Technology and Design received certificates of competency from Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham Baba. Also present was Project Manager of UNIDO, Sanjaya Shrestha.
Dato’ Dr Ahmad Sabrin noted that SIRIM’s involvement and commitment towards promoting solar thermal applications for industrial use is beyond the scope of UNIDO MAEESTA projects. SIRIM researchers and engineers have successfully designed, developed, tested and commissioned eight industrial scale of solar thermal demonstration plants covering various sub sectors of Malaysian industries.
“These projects were mostly funded through SIRIM-Fraunhofer Programme and private industries. The demonstration plants constitute the pioneers in food and beverages, poultry processing, hotel and wood drying industries.
“SIRIM recently commissioned the largest industrial scale for Solar Thermal Plant at NB Poultry Processing, covering nearly 500 square meters of thermal collectors with over 25,000 litres of thermal storage. These projects are testimonial of SIRIM’s commitment to transform Malaysian industries towards greener manufacturers, while helping to reduce GHG Emissions,” he said.
Apart from SIRIM’s involvement in solar thermal applications, the agency has completed eight solar dryer systems for drying of marine, agriculture and food products.
“The dryers are designed with advanced evacuated tube collectors that are capable of supplying convection solar heat at 80 degrees Celsius; this has shortened the drying time, resulting in better and uniformed quality products. The system has benefited small businesses, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.
“Through this system, SIRIM has demonstrated that typical open solar drying activities by kampung folks and rural communities can be further enhanced with technology that is proven to be greener and cleaner,” he said.
Meanwhile, MAEESTA consists of three components, which is Regulatory Framework and Financial Incentive; Awareness Raising and Capacity Building; and Demonstration Plant and Scaling Up.