In a pivotal move to demonstrate their collective commitment to a sustainable future, leaders and representatives from 12 Swiss companies in Malaysia gathered at a high-level forum to discuss the crucial role of energy efficiency. Organized by the Embassy of Switzerland in Malaysia, the forum provided a platform for businesses to raise the bar on energy efficiency which the International Energy Agency regards as the 'first fuel' in the fight against climate change.
At the session, participants delved into the current pace of energy efficiency progress and the urgent need for decisive actions, especially within the next couple of years, to ensure that the 1.5°C global warming goal remains within reach. "The most pragmatic approach is to increase the deployment of technologies, including those that are already available. One that we rarely consider but is ubiquitous in everyday lives and industries are electric motors,” said R Narayanan, Group Senior Vice President & Head of ABB Motion, Asia.
“Electric motors are everywhere. They run the compressors that keep our food cold, power the pumps that supply water, and drive the HVAC systems that keep buildings cool. Yet many of these motor-driven systems are inefficient and waste too much energy,” said R Narayanan, Group Senior Vice President & Head of ABB Motion, Asia.
"Investing in the latest technology can have a massive impact. The IEA reports that electric motors consume over 45% of the world's electricity and by 2040, the number of motors will double. However, if the more than 300 million industrial electric motor-driven systems currently in operation were replaced with optimized, high-efficiency equipment, global electricity consumption could be reduced by up to 10 %,” he added.
During the forum, participants were provided an overview of 10 actions that industrial users can take to improve their energy efficiency and reduce emissions, as outlined in 'The Industrial Energy Efficiency Playbook' and 'The Case for Industrial Energy Efficiency' by the Energy Efficiency Movement.
Other speakers included Pearl Ong, Regional Service Manager, ABB Motion, Motion Services, Asia, who highlighted the role of energy appraisal as the starting point for companies embarking on their energy efficiency journey. Ir. Ts. Zulkiflee Umar, Deputy Director of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Unit at the Energy Commission of Malaysia, also shared insights into the government's efforts to promote energy efficiency, including the new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) and the regulations and incentives available for companies.
“Energy efficiency is a cornerstone of the global energy transition, offering one of the most cost-effective and scalable solutions to reduce emissions and improve sustainability. It was heartening to see Swiss companies in Malaysia taking a strategic and proactive approach in integrating energy efficiency into their core business operations while also sharing their expertise and innovative solutions to benefit the local ecosystem,” said Ralph A. Stamm, Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Switzerland.
“This is the start of what we envisage as a series of engagements with Swiss companies in Malaysia to collaborate, share best practices, and drive tangible actions toward advancing energy efficiency progress," Ralph A. Stamm concluded.
The high-level forum aligns with the Energy Efficiency Movement, a global platform launched in 2021 by ABB, that brings together close to 500 participants from different industries worldwide to share ideas and raise awareness about the opportunities for increased energy efficiency. On 14 May 2024, the Energy Efficiency Movement became an independent association with the founding members, ABB and Alfa Laval, leading its governance.
