IN Malaysia, electricity production is largely dependent on two main sources of fossil fuels—coal and natural gas.
While the country pushes towards more sustainable and renewable energy sources, like solar and hydro, to achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the use of fossil fuels continues to pay an environmental toll.
Adding to this plight, widespread wasteful consumption exacerbates the issue.
By placing more demand on the grid, CO2 emissions increase, affecting the environment and public health, which contributes to the adverse effects of global warming and climate change we experience today.
Therefore, to reduce environmental harm, a behavioural and generational shift around energy consumption and conservation is needed so that future generations can enjoy the same privileges we do today.
The “Powering The Future” school activation programme, launched by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), in collaboration with Star Media Group Bhd (SMG), aimed to do just that, as it shone a light on the potential for a greener and more sustainable future, educating youth across the country on smart energy use.
The first two editions of the programme—held in 2023 and 2024—covered 70 schools in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Perak and Penang, impacting 5,435 students over both years.
Powering The Future 3.0
Back for its third iteration, the “Powering The Future 3.0” (PTF 3.0) programme covered the remaining states in the peninsula, impacting 3,248 primary and secondary school students across 40 schools in Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis.
Under the umbrella of the Malaysia Energy Literacy Programme (MELP) national initiative, the programme introduced students to the world of renewable energy (RE) through interactive hands-on learning modules and gamification techniques designed to resonate with today’s youth.
Primary students received a Kuntum edutainment workbook to reinforce the values and concepts they learned post-programme, aiming to inspire a long-term behavioural change, promote environmental stewardship and expand the programme’s impact beyond the schools.
Secondary school students, on the other hand, were engaged in active critical thinking exercises to foster energy-efficient practices through real-world simulations of everyday home scenarios.
They learnt about the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the guiding principles to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This awareness empowers them with the knowledge and context to shape a more sustainable future.
All participants received a complimentary one-year subscription to The Star’s e-Paper, encouraging active reading while reinforcing energy conservation awareness.
Renewable energy
Primary school students immersed themselves in RE model kit-building activities to understand the benefits of greener energy solutions.
Programme facilitators conducted live miniature demonstrations on how sustainable energy systems work, enabling the students to grasp the intricacies of green technologies.
These included sustainable power sources such as wind, hydro and solar energy.