Micro-Hydro Mini-Grids for Sustainable Agriculture Enterprise Development for Isolated Communities in Ulu Papar, Malaysia

Malaysia's aspiration towards net zero emissions by 2050 requires major policy shifts in energy generation and consumption patterns. Producing energy is no longer the sole focus of a 98% electrified nation; the emphasis has shifted towards cleaner production, empowerment, and energy democracy. National initiatives such as large-scale solar, net energy metering, and the upcoming mini-grid-based energy trading system have spurred renewable energy growth yet overlooking inclusive and just electrification needs. Therefore, understanding the energy needs of communities is critical in Malaysia. Hence, this study examined input from community stakeholders at Ulu Papar, focusing on the gap regarding energy needs, as well as types of agriculture with high-yield and high-value agri-based products through low-carbon energy transition. Therefore, qualitative information was obtained from communities through interviews and focus group discussion sessions for the empirical analysis to support the energy transition approaches towards sustainable agriculture. These findings were then documented to provide milestones for multi-helix actors to validate the success of the energy transition approaches towards sustainable agriculture programmes. This study suggests selective high-value agricultural products using renewable energy to increase their value chain might develop a low-carbon agriculture enterprise. Moreover, this study indicated that a multi-criteria analysis approach, incorporating stakeholder input, is essential for an effective low-carbon energy transition and socio-economic improvement of the rural communities in Malaysia as a means for Malaysia's aspiration towards net zero carbon emissions.