Analysing the viability of carbon capture and storage technology via SWOT/PESTLE analysis: case study in Malaysia

Abstract

Malaysia is one of the highest energy-related CO2 emitters among the South-East Asian countries, with the biggest contribution comes from the energy sector. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is one of the promising technologies to mitigate this anthropogenic greenhouse gases (i.e., CO2) emission. Present work explores the viability of CCS technology via the strength-weaknesses-opportunities-threats (SWOT) and politic-environment-social-technical-legal-economy (PESTLE) analyses approach on the commercialization potential in coal-fired power plant at Mukah, Sarawak, Malaysia. Based on the analyses, in term of political, economic, social, and legal aspect, establishing CCS plant in Malaysia has strong internal and external influence. Whereas implementation of CCS technology in Sarawak could attract the international investment, enhance economic growth and job creation. Moreover, technological advantage of CCS that can be retrofitted with existing power plant features value added in term of technology and economic merits. Despite of the global development of CCS technology and its ability to reduce up to 50-90% of coal power plant emission, this technology is susceptible to have higher energy penalty and electricity drop which decreases its efficiency as well as the plant efficiency. One should take note that this analysis was based on academic and grey literatures. Where, validation from the experts and industrial point of view are required to support the shorthand evaluation of this work.