Huawei Malaysia Urges Stronger Local Standards to Safeguard Clean Energy Transition

Universiti Malaya (UM) and Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd co-hosted the Second Digital Think Tank Network Roundtable under the theme “Building Trust in Green Energy: Safety, Standards, and the Future.” The high-level forum brought together policymakers, academics, and industry leaders to spotlight the urgent need for rigorous safety and standards in Malaysia’s green energy transition.

Themed discussion panels and expert presentations highlighted growing concerns over the safety of solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS), particularly following recent incidents involving photovoltaic fires.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Damon Leong, Solutions Expert at Huawei Malaysia, emphasized the critical importance of establishing and enforcing Malaysian Standards (MS) specific to green technologies. “Safety is the foundation of everything we do at Huawei. If a product fails, it risks halting progress across the industry,” he said, advocating for strict import requirements and mandatory product testing to ensure public and industry safety.

Leong also proposed the formation of a Malaysian Standards Committee comprising members from government, academia, manufacturers, consumer groups, and testing labs to develop and monitor comprehensive safety benchmarks.

Joining the conversation, Ts Nurhafiza Mohd Hasan, Director of Safety Regulation at the Energy Commission (ST), noted that Malaysia has already adopted nearly 200 IEC and MS standards via codes and directives. “Strong, updated standards are essential to match the pace of technological development,” she said.

On achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7, Professor Dr. Jeyraj Selvaraj, Executive Director of UM’s Power and Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre, urged Malaysia to triple its renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. He identified solar, bioenergy, hydropower, and innovation as key pillars for progress.

Adding a technical perspective, Associate Professor Ir Dr. Lim Boon Han of UTAR highlighted risks in photovoltaic systems — including electrical faults, lightning, poor module quality, and flood vulnerability — which can lead to fires and electrocution. He called for greater adherence to updated safety protocols, including the Bomba 2024 emergency response guidelines.

Concluding the session, Pn Sujatha Sekhar Naik, Chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Corporate Governance, underscored the importance of stewardship and sustainability governance. She pointed to the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (MCCG) as a critical framework for elevating corporate responsibility in the energy sector.

With Malaysia targeting net zero emissions by 2050, Huawei Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the country’s green goals by working alongside regulators, academia, and industry stakeholders to ensure a safe, secure, and sustainable energy future.