Energy Emissions Profile and Floating Solar Mitigation Potential for a Malaysia's State

Abstract

The establishment of the National Low Carbon City Master Plan (NLCCM) by Malaysia's government presents a significant opportunity to minimize carbon emissions at the subnational or local scales, while simultaneously fostering remarkable economic potential. However, the lack of data management and understanding of emissions at the subnational level are hindering effective climate policies and planning to achieve the nationally determined contribution and carbon neutrality goal. There is an urgent need for a subnational emission inventory to understand and manage subnational emissions, particularly that of the energy sector which contribute the biggest to Malaysia's emission. This research aims to estimate carbon emissions for Selangor state in accordance with the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC), for stationary energy activities. The study also evaluates the mitigation potential of Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) proposed for Selangor. It was found that the total stationary energy emission for Selangor for the year 2019 was 18,070.16 ktCO2e, contributed the most by the Manufacturing sub-sector (40%), followed by the Commercial and Institutional sub-sector; with 82% contribution coming from the Scope 2 emission. The highest sub-sector of Scope 1 emissions was contributed by Manufacturing while Scope 2 emissions from the Commercial and Institutional. Additionally, the highest fuel consumed was natural gas, which amounted to 1404.32 ktCO2e (44%) of total emissions. The FSPV assessment showed the potential generation of 2.213 TWh per year, by only utilizing 10% of the identified available ponds and dams in Selangor, equivalent to an emission reduction of 1726.02 ktCO2e, offsetting 11.6% Scope 2 electricity emission. The results from the study can be used to better evaluate existing policies at the sub-national level, discover mitigation opportunities, and guide the creation of future policies.