KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s push for energy efficiency is gaining traction, with initiatives under the Energy Management Gold Standard (EMGS) delivering estimated annual savings of RM39 million, as Putrajaya ramps up efforts to cushion the impact of global energy supply disruptions.
Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the savings, equivalent to 106 GWh of energy, were recorded in 2025 under EMGS, which operates within the Asean Energy Management Scheme.
He said the initiative serves as both a cost-saving mechanism and a strategic response to ongoing global energy challenges.
“This programme recognises efforts to ensure energy savings in line with the current global energy crisis. Such recognition acts as an encouragement for companies, government agencies and industries to participate actively,” he told reporters after officiating the EMGS certification ceremony today.
The programme, implemented locally by the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation, has seen growing participation from corporates and institutions seeking to improve energy efficiency while managing operating costs.
In 2025 alone, a total of 133 organisations obtained EMGS certification. Of these, 22 received one-star certification, four were awarded two stars, while 107 secured three-star certification, including renewals by organisations maintaining top-tier standards.
Syed Ibrahim noted that the high number of three-star certifications signals a maturing ecosystem where organisations are not only adopting energy management practices but sustaining them over time.
“This shows that organisations are continuing good practices to retain their three-star certification, reflecting strong commitment in energy management,” he said.
In addition, five organisations were presented with special awards in recognition of exceptional commitment in implementing EMGS practices at their facilities.
To date, 205 organisations nationwide have participated in the EMGS programme, covering 601 assessments. The initiative has also contributed to significant environmental outcomes, including a reduction of more than 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent since its introduction in 2010.
The deputy minister emphasised that energy efficiency remains a critical pillar of Malaysia’s climate strategy, given that the energy sector accounts for about 79% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
“Efficient energy management is no longer an option but a necessity in facing the global climate crisis,” he said.
Syed Ibrahim outlined three key principles underpinning the government’s approach: strong leadership and forward-looking policies, resilience in sustaining long-term initiatives despite challenges such as budget constraints, and close collaboration between stakeholders.
“Even with leadership and vision, without the participation of industry players, these initiatives cannot succeed. That is why collaboration across sectors, including banking, healthcare and manufacturing, is crucial,” he added.
The EMGS initiative aligns with broader national frameworks such as the National Energy Transition Roadmap, the National Energy Policy 2022-2040 and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2024, all of which aim to strengthen Malaysia’s preparedness against energy shocks while advancing its net-zero ambitions.
Syed Ibrahim said the government aims to expand participation further, encouraging more organisations to adopt structured energy management systems to drive both cost efficiency and sustainability.
Separately, he said authorities are continuing to monitor environmental risks such as hotspots and open burning, stressing the need for public awareness and coordinated action among agencies to prevent incidents that could worsen environmental conditions.
“Monitoring is ongoing, and enforcement will continue, but public cooperation is equally important to ensure such issues do not escalate,” the deputy minister said.
