KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Energy Awards (NEA) 2024 uphold its tradition of honouring industry leaders and organisations for their commitment to adopting energy efficiency, renewable energy, technologies and practices. This year, 25 recipients are honoured for their significant contributions to optimising energy management, improving energy efficiency, and advancing renewable energy.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), the NEA supports Malaysia's goal of reducing reliance on carbon-based fuels and promoting sustainable energy practices across all sectors, advancing the nation toward net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.
This year's National Energy Awards (NEA) received 134 submissions from various sectors, including healthcare, government bodies, and private sectors. These efforts collectively saved 315.37 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy usage annually, which is equivalent to about RM 45 million in reduced energy bills per annum at current tariffs, and generated over 283.71 GWh annually from renewable energy sources. The healthcare sector, particularly government hospitals, stood out with more than 65 submissions, showcasing strong leadership in energy efficiency and setting a positive example for others. This high level of participation underscores the sector's commitment to sustainability and the country's energy-saving goals.
"I am inspired by the progress made by various sectors in advancing our country's energy transition agenda. The commitment to sustainable energy development and practices will drive Malaysia's future growth. Congratulations to the National Energy Awards (NEA) 2024 winners! Your contributions to energy sustainability highlight Malaysia's leadership in energy management, renewable energy and energy efficiency." said Dato` Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA).
These energy savings are crucial in advancing the nation's environmental goals, contributing to an annual reduction of 238,504.41 metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to planting 5,962,610 trees. This demonstrates Malaysia's continued dedication to a just and sustainable energy transition, in line with the country's pathway to achieving net zero by 2050.
Leading the way among the winning submissions is Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), which achieved the highest score, placing them in first place in Category 1 for Energy Management in Large Buildings. The university exceeded its annual energy reduction target of 3% per annum by achieving reductions of 17.8%, 18.5%, and 19.3% for the years 2021 to 2023.
The NEA also recognized outstanding achievements in Category 2 for Green Residential, where the Hydroponic House set a high standard with its central courtyard, natural lighting, and a 6-kW solar PV system that meets over 34% of its electricity needs. Additionally, under the Tropical Building sub-category, the PETRONAS Leadership Centre in Bangi was celebrated for its extensive greenery and eco-friendly design, including a man-made lake and solar energy integration that seamlessly blend with the landscape.
YAB Minister Fadillah Yusof emphasized that these achievements demonstrate Malaysia's commitment to sustainability and net-zero emissions. As energy demand grows, integrating renewable sources and improved grid management will be crucial in driving the transition to a sustainable energy future.
The National Energy Awards continue to invite submissions from all sectors, recognizing that sustainability can emerge from anywhere. The 2025 edition of the NEA will open for submissions in October, providing another opportunity for Malaysian organizations to showcase their contributions to the nation's energy goals.
For more information on the National Energy Awards and to learn more about the 2024 winners, please visit the official website: https://www.nationalenergyawards.com.my.
About National Energy Awards:
Spearheaded by the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), the National Energy Award (NEA) recognises the adoption of sustainable energy practices by Malaysia's business organisations across all industries and sectors.
The NEA initiative, which supports Malaysia's ambition to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, encourages adopting sustainable energy practices and sharing knowledge of activities that adhere to sustainable energy standards. This is aligned with Malaysia's aspiration to be net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.
About Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC)
MGTC is an agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability mandated to accelerate green growth, advance climate action and inculcate green lifestyle.
Guided by the National Green Technology Policy (NGTP), the National Policy on Climate Change (NCCP), the Green Technology Master Plan 2017-2030 (GTMP) and the Twelfth Malaysia Plan, MGTC carries out programmes and initiatives to support stakeholders at all levels.
By 2030, through its various programs and initiatives, MGTC aims to facilitate RM100 billion in green investments, create 230,000 green jobs and help Malaysia achieve its net-zero GHG emissions as early as 2050 target.
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NATIONAL ENERGY AWARDS 2024 SHOWCASES MALAYSIA'S COMMITMENT TO ENERGY MANAGEMENT, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS
ANSHUN, China, May 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 21, at the Guizhou Anshun Tourism Development Conference, Mafengwo Travel Group officially launched three flagship "New Mountain Play" benchmark projects — Huangheying Water Cave, Lotus Ancient Cave, and Luoyang Glasswater Gorge — while jointly releasing the 2026 Anshun Mountain Outdoor New Play Playbook with the Anshun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism. By redefining mountain outdoor travel experiences through "new play," the initiative injects fresh momentum into Anshun's positioning as an international mountain tourism destination.
"Personalized travel is rising rapidly. Tourism is transitioning from a 'sightseeing economy' to an 'experience economy.' More than just 'having been there,' travelers today seek emotional value from scenic spots and related projects," said Chen Gang, Founder and CEO of Mafengwo, in a speech titled *Co-creating the Super Play Era of Mountain Tourism*. He noted that leveraging benchmark new-play projects such as Huangheying Water Cave, Lotus Ancient Cave, and Luoyang Glasswater Gorge, Mafengwo will work with Anshun to integrate "new play, new formats, new marketing, and new consumption" into a holistic innovation ecosystem for destination-wide play. Together, they aim to revitalize natural resources, energize industrial momentum, link rural revitalization, and jointly build Anshun into a national hub for new mountain play.
At a time when travelers are increasingly weary of "man-made check-in spots" and homogenized internet-famous projects, the newly launched projects abandon the old path of large-scale construction. Instead, they return to the wild itself, adopting a "light development, heavy experience" approach to create mountain plays that are "wild on the outside, refined on the inside." Huangheying Water Cave focuses on "natural wonders + interactive adventure," using its original "water-cave" karst features to create a genuine sense of "underground exploration." Lotus Ancient Cave, based on a massive natural cave, integrates "light ultimate" activities such as via ferrata, rappelling, and cave drop towers, allowing ordinary visitors to feel adrenaline-pumping "heart-racing moments" in a natural setting. Luoyang Glasswater Gorge follows the original river course, using natural elevation differences to design trails for hiking, canyoning, and waterfall rappelling, with minimal artificial construction, emphasizing the pristine "glass water" and an eco-harmonious, back-to-nature mountain experience.
At the "2026 Anshun Mountain Tourism New Play" sharing session, Mafengwo Travel Group and the Anshun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism jointly released the *2026 Anshun Mountain Outdoor New Play Playbook*. Ten selected plays in non-traditional mountain settings were featured, including "Night Tour of Dupo Tang — Immersive Journey into the World of Journey to the West," "Watch Intangible Cultural Heritage 'Spider-Man' Climb Cliffs for Bird's Nests," and "370-Meter Free Fall at Balinghe Bridge." These showcase how Anshun creatively uses its karst landscapes as a natural "amusement park" for mountain experiences.
He Weihong, Vice Mayor of Anshun, stated in his address: "In Anshun, the 'City of 21°C,' mountains are no longer just scenery to be viewed. They are living fields to be climbed, immersed in, jumped over, and breathed in. Anshun will take this conference as an opportunity to accelerate the internationalization of its mountain tourism and build a first-class mountain outdoor sports destination." During the event, Anshun Tourism Group also promoted its mountain outdoor travel routes.
By early 2026, the number of outdoor sports participants in China had exceeded 400 million, with participation in mountain hiking, trail running, rock climbing, and canyoning rising year by year. Driven by the dual trends of "nationwide fitness" and "pan-outdoor" activities, mountain play is moving from niche circles to the general public. Unlike the high barriers of traditional outdoor activities, Anshun's new plays target the blue ocean market of "light ultimate + strong experience + high shareability." Whether it's a "bridge bungee jump," checking out the natural wonder "Eye of the Great Sage," or experiencing a "Journey to the West fantasy" at night by Dupo Tang Waterfall — these activities are novel, beginner-friendly, and serve as natural content and social currency.
Anshun's mountain play innovation has also attracted international attention. Anouar, Chief Representative of the Tunisian National Tourism Office in China, noted in his speech that Anshun's innovation in integrating mountain tourism and sports is worth learning from for many international peers. He noted that Tunisia has diverse mountain resources across the country, with history embedded in the mountains and culture in the scenery — this is the unique charm of Tunisia's mountains. He looks forward to China-Tunisia cooperation to explore more mountain tourism opportunities and co-create new partnership models.
An international dialogue session brought together representatives from the Norwegian National Tourist Board, Visit Flanders (Belgium), and the Saudi Tourism Authority to discuss mountain outdoor tourism upgrade from a global perspective. The guests agreed that they were delighted to see that Anshun is not simply replicating a "Switzerland of the East" but is creating an entirely new "universal language of mountain tourism." The internationalization of mountain tourism is not about imitation but about excavating the unique narratives of local landscapes — with its green mountains and clear waters as the canvas and play innovation as the brush, Anshun is painting a vibrant new picture for the world.
A domestic dialogue session brought together frontier explorers, practitioners, and experts in mountain sports tourism to discuss the future development of mountain sports tourism from the perspectives of communities, products, and operations. Qin Chuan, Founder of Wanan Youth Travel, noted that with technological advancements and equipment iteration, more and more "outdoor novices" without professional training can enjoy the pleasures of the wild. Currently, Wanan Youth Travel is selecting and developing "super single products" and continuously improving service quality to deliver ultimate outdoor experiences to visitors.
After the conference, industry guests conducted on-site inspections of new play projects, including Lotus Ancient Cave, Dupo Tang Night Tour, Anshun Ancient Town, and Getu River. Wang Yu, Chief Representative of the Norwegian National Tourist Board in Greater China, remarked: "Anshun and Norway share many similarities. Anshun's new mountain plays emphasize 'light development, heavy experience.' Take Lotus Ancient Cave — it doesn't feel like a 'designed' scenic spot, but rather an extension of Anshun's natural mountain charm itself, an experiential field you can fully immerse yourself in. The scale of this 'light ultimate' experience is just right — thrilling enough, yet truly authentic."
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Light Ultimate, High Experience, Original Ecology, Personalization -- Mafengwo and Anshun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism Co-create New Forms of Mountain Tourism
Light Ultimate, High Experience, Original Ecology, Personalization -- Mafengwo and Anshun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism Co-create New Forms of Mountain Tourism
