Energy Transition and Business Sustainability

UTAR hosted Dr Tee Wu Shun, Chief Strategy Officer of Samaiden Group Berhad, as the guest speaker for a talk titled Energy Transition and Business Sustainability at its Sungai Long Campus on 24 March 2025.

Dr Tee delivered an insightful and thought-provoking presentation that addressed the urgent challenges of climate change and the critical role of businesses in the global shift toward cleaner energy. He explored key global milestones such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, emphasising the need for collaborative action to meet net-zero targets and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The session also highlighted how Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, is positioning itself in the clean energy transition. Dr Tee shared the latest national initiatives such as the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2024, large-scale solar project developments, the Community Renewable Energy Aggregation Mechanism (CREAM), and innovations like residential solar leasing. These efforts reflect Malaysia’s ambition to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix and achieve long-term sustainability.

Dr Tee also provided an overview of Malaysia’s vast renewable energy potential, emphasising the country’s strategic advantage due to its rich natural resources. Drawing from data by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA), he highlighted that Malaysia has a total solar photovoltaic (PV) potential of 269 GW, making it a key area for future clean energy expansion. Other renewable sources include 13 GW from large hydro, 3.6 GW from bioenergy, 2.5 GW from small hydro systems, and 0.2 GW from geothermal sources. He illustrated how Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak each offer unique strengths—from high solar irradiation and abundant agricultural waste to extensive river basins that support hydropower generation. These figures point to significant opportunities for both public and private sectors to scale up green energy initiatives across the country.

He stressed that sustainability is a multidimensional journey, encompassing environmental, social, and governance aspects. His message was clear—businesses that innovate and adapt to sustainable practices will not only thrive but also make a meaningful impact on society and the planet.

Dr Tee further shared Samaiden’s sustainability journey, emphasising that the company’s strategy is closely aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To support this, Samaiden has put in place some targeted initiatives at various stages of implementation. These initiatives are shaped through active engagement with diverse stakeholders to ensure inclusive perspectives and meaningful action. He highlighted the importance of setting clear interim targets and maintaining accountability to drive real progress in business sustainability.

UTAR extends its heartfelt thanks to Dr Tee for sharing his industry expertise and inspiring the university community to think critically about the role everyone plays in building a sustainable future.