The global trend in electricity market has put pressure for Malaysia to restructure industry to be more reliable, transparent, efficient and sustainable. Besides, centralized power purchasing units that exist within a vertically-integrated entity have been criticized for failure to provide a truly playing field for the player in the generation sector competing to sell power to the single buyer. The Malaysian Electricity Supply Industry (MESI) has gone through various stages of reform and has evolved from predominantly single entity to a multiplayer industry particularly in the generation sector. This literature review covers the evolution of MESI from the introducing of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs), issues surrounding and implementation of single buyer which had continued until now. The MESI reformed a single buyer functional structure and framework is also included. However, this model does not offer transparent competition. Thus, other alternative electricity market model, pool/hybrid market model could be applied in order to carry on the MESI previous plan towards restructuring. The significance and relevance of the pool market model and its advantages in the Malaysian context is also discussed.
IntroductionFor many years MESI has remained a regulated monopoly. Today, with a major challenge to be more responsive to the needs of the people, keeping the price to be affordable and competitive, MESI made a progress in transforming the industry to be more transparent and efficient including the generation capacity. The restructuring of Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) had begun in early 20th centuries, since then, MESI has aimed to change its structure to a wholesale market model in 2005. Malaysian Government has addresses issues of energy production, distribution and consumption. Therefore, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is committed to support the national green agenda and by applying sustainable, efficient operation and delivery green energy through the application of appropriate technologies and investments. In 1992, due to a nationwide power blackout, series interruptions and rationing, the government decided to introduce Independent Power Producers (IPP) in generation sector, in order to overcome the electricity shortage issues, enlarge energy reserve margin, and to introduce competition bidding among the generators [1]. Until now, the competition valid for generation sector only, while transmission and distribution sector remained fully control by TNB.The future challenges may increase the cost of supply and subsidy, resulting in volatile fuel prices and IPP payments, as well as earnings below cost of capital. An alternative of electricity market model for MESI towards restructuring, pool/hybrid market model could be applied, in order to accommodate a fair competitive trading between power producers and to produce win-win situation to all involved parties, will illustrates guaranteed incomes for all IPPs. Therefore, this might influenced them to renegotiate the terms in the agreement.