IN response to Pola Singh’s comment on energy planning (”Who makes the decisions in the power sector?” — NST, Nov 21), I wish to reiterate the recent statement by the energy, water and communications minister that there is no imminent threat of a power shortage by 2012.

Malaysia has sufficient electricity supply beyond 2012.

The situation will further improve upon the supply of electricity from the Bakun hydroelectric project to Peninsular Malaysia in 2014.

In fact, planning is being undertaken to ensure the continuous supply of electricity beyond 2014. A senior-level committee, chaired by the minister with representatives from the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Petronas and other energy stakeholders, has functioned for a number of years to continuously plan, coordinate and monitor the implementation of electricity projects to meet the demands of the country.

The tasks of this committee include the need to forecast electricity demand and prepare planting-up programmes.

The committee meets three or four times a year to appraise the demand and supply situation of energy, particularly electricity, in the country and make recommendations to the government.

In addition, the executive committee of the National Economic Council, chaired by the prime minister, has also accorded the energy agenda a top priority to sustain the economic growth of the country.

A energy policy will be developed after taking into consideration the feedback from these committees and industry players, as well as the deliberations of the council.

DENNIS SEE, Economic Planning Unit Prime Minister’s Department

Source: NST – December 4, 2008