Malaysians may pay 'green tariff' for water wastage

MALAYSIAN consumers may see a hike in water and electricity tariffs soon, as the government looks to curb water wastage and promote the use of renewable energy respectively.

Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said the government is looking at introducing a "green tariff" for the water sector, which requires consumers to pay for water wastage.

"It is a volumetric-based tariff that combines water and waste water tariff into a single one," he said in his keynote speech at the Fifth National Utilities Summit 2008 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Shaziman said this is in line with the integration of both the sewerage and water sectors under a single company.

"Under the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), we are taking a holistic approach to the water industry; whereby sewerage and water cannot be broken up because it is a full cycle," he told reporters during a press conference later.

He said it is currently difficult to get consumers to pay for the discharge that comes from the water they use, thus the need for the new tariff.

While the ministry is still studying how to charge consumers based on water consumption, Shaziman said pilot projects may be conducted in Johor Baru.

"We will combine the sewerage and water bills together. There will be additional charge on the tariff based on the water that is consumed," he said.

"SPAN hopes to finalise plans with the Johor and Selangor state governments by year-end on the restructuring of its water and sewerage industries," he added.

For the electricity sector, Shaziman said his ministry is working with the Energy Commission on implementing a feed-in tariff, currently used by European countries, as early as next year.

A feed-in tariff offers a long-term guaranteed price contract to any entity contributing electricity to the national grid via renewable sources such as solar, wind or small hydro.

Energy firms such as Tenaga Nasional Bhd will have to pay a duty for electricity usage from renewable sources, which will be inevitably passed on to the consumers.

"We are still studying the details of this tariff with the Energy Commission and once we have a better understanding, we can bring it to the Cabinet for approval," said Shaziman.

He said since the electricity tariff will be reviewed next June, the ministry will relook at the structure of the tariff to possibly incorporate the usage of renewable sources.

On the National Energy Blueprint, he said the Energy Commission has been directed to relook at the blueprint as it was lacking in certain areas, and expects it to be submitted by year-end.

He also said that the Economic Planning Unit has appointed a foreign consultant to carry out a study on a New Energy Policy for Malaysia. "The policy is up to 2030 and the study should take about six months to a year to complete."

i am trying my best not to condemn anyone today but news like this driving my patience to a very thin line.....

be patient. sabar itu separuh daripada iman.

i do not follow the teaching of quran...