Workshop Series on the True Cost of Solar Study
Single Buyer initiated the True Cost of Solar (TCoS) Study to evaluate the system-wide implications of large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) integration within Peninsular Malaysia’s electricity market. London Economics International (LEI) was appointed to undertake the analytical study.
The study was designed to:
- Quantify system-level costs associated with solar PV integration, including balancing and network impacts
- Formulate a tariff framework that allocates costs transparently and equitably among relevant stakeholders
- Assess the broader socio-economic implications of accelerated solar deployment
Two technical workshops were conducted by LEI on 10 February and 14 April 2022, bringing together representatives from Single Buyer, Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST), KETSA, SEDA, the Grid System Operator (GSO) and TNB. The sessions presented the study’s methodology, modelling assumptions and preliminary findings, enabling structured validation of inputs and regulatory considerations.
The study outcomes were subsequently presented at the Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) Workshop on 21 April 2022 in Putrajaya, engaging a broader group of policymakers and industry stakeholders. On 14 June 2022, Single Buyer further briefed the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources on the study’s key findings and policy implications.
Through rigorous cost attribution analysis and tariff framework assessment, Single Buyer strengthens transparency in renewable integration and enhances clarity on market cost allocation. The TCoS initiative contributes to a more disciplined and economically grounded pathway for solar expansion, ensuring that renewable growth is aligned with system reliability and long-term market sustainability.