Selangor Journal: Adapting to climate change: Air Selangor vows to rise up to challenge

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SHAH ALAM, Dec 14 — Malaysia’s largest water operator, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, is fully committed to implementing measures to meet future challenges through three focus areas, amid threats posed by climate change, said its acting chief executive officer Abas Abdullah.

They are improving raw water security, increasing treated water reserve margin, and gradually reducing non-revenue water.

In an interview in conjunction with the recently-concluded United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change‘s 28th Conference of Parties in Dubai, Abas stressed the importance of coping with climate challenges in Malaysia.

He cited the 2014 twin drought and flood seasons and 2021’s massive flooding caused by excessive rainfall as examples that necessitated Air Selangor to continuously adapt.

“We need to adapt, mitigate and carry out an action plan that meets future challenges. Our top priority in terms of focus areas is to build on our raw water security.

“Second, we need to increase our water reserve margin to a minimum of 20 per cent by 2030, compared to less than 15 per cent currently. This will be done via our new mega project known as the Rasau Water Supply Scheme.

“Thirdly, we are looking to taper down the state’s non-revenue water from 28.5 per cent to 23.5 per cent in 2030,” he said.

In materialising Air Selangor’s vision to be the trusted and leading water service provider in Asia by 2030, Abas said he expects the demand for treated water to increase to up to 6.9 million litres per day in 2030 and 8.9 million litres per day by 2050.

Asked on Air Selangor’s strategy to achieve its Net Zero Energy Vision 2040, Abas shared that this will be done via three phases, with the initial phase being implemented over the next couple of years, targeting a 7 per cent transition to renewable energy.

The second phase, which will be implemented between 2025 and 2029, aims to increase renewable energy usage to 52 per cent, before a full transition by 2040.

“The benefit of this net zero energy is it will reduce our operations cost, particularly in terms of electricity.

“We have a long-term plan on this net zero vision, not only focusing on renewable energy but also on energy efficiency,” he said.

Previously, it was reported that Air Selangor is set to produce an impressive 1,460 GWh (gigawatt hour) of green electricity annually by 2040, following the launch of the Net Zero Energy Vision 2040, its ambitious renewable energy strategy.

According to Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, the transition will allow Air Selangor to reduce electricity costs in operating water treatment plants under its management.

He said through this comprehensive transition to renewable energy, Air Selangor will not only save RM387.6 million annually but will also have the opportunity to allocate these savings for more frequent replacement of old infrastructure, including pipes and pumps in the water treatment plants.