Energy resources power homes, factories and transport. Geographers group them into two main types based on whether they can be replaced.
Non-renewable energy
Non-renewable resources take millions of years to form and will eventually run out. They are the fossil fuels: petroleum, natural gas and coal. Malaysia has large petroleum and natural gas fields off Terengganu, Sarawak and Sabah, managed by Petronas.
Key idea
Renewable energy is naturally replaced and will not run out; non-renewable energy is finite and will be used up.
Renewable energy
Renewable resources are replaced by nature and do not run out. They include:
- Hydroelectric power (HEP) from dams such as Bakun and Batang Ai in Sarawak.
- Solar energy from sunlight, suited to Malaysia's equatorial position.
- Biomass and biogas from oil palm waste and agricultural residue.
- Wind, geothermal and tidal energy in suitable locations.
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Non-renewable | Petroleum, natural gas, coal |
| Renewable | HEP, solar, biomass, wind |
Example
The Bakun Dam in Sarawak is one of Asia's largest HEP stations, generating clean electricity from flowing water without burning fuel.
Remember
- Fossil fuels = non-renewable and cause pollution.
- HEP, solar, biomass and wind = renewable and cleaner.
- Malaysia is a major exporter of petroleum and natural gas.
Choosing an energy source
The best source for a location depends on physical and human factors such as climate, relief, cost, technology and demand. Highlands with fast rivers suit hydroelectric power, while sunny lowlands suit solar farms. Fossil fuels give a large, reliable output but release carbon dioxide and will run out, so many countries are shifting towards a cleaner energy mix.
Malaysia still depends heavily on fossil fuels, but is steadily increasing renewable energy to reduce pollution, improve energy security and conserve finite resources for the future.