BAKU: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) is committed to supporting Malaysia’s energy transition goals under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), which aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Chief grid officer Hasmarizal Hassan stated that the NETR, launched in August 2023, sets ambitious targets for Malaysia, including a gradual increase in renewable energy (RE) shares, targeting 40 per cent by 2035 and 70 per cent by 2050. He added that through the NETR, TNB plans to strengthen grid infrastructure to meet electricity demand by 2050, supporting Malaysia’s economic growth and job creation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hasmarizal Hassan explained that TNB’s Energy Transition Plan is aligned with national goals, focusing on decarbonising generation, building a flexible grid, and promoting digitalisation and electrification to enhance customer involvement. He emphasised that TNB plays a crucial role in unlocking regional potential by developing the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) to accelerate the NETR
and aims to position Malaysia as the RE hub for ASEAN through competitive tariffs, reliable power supply, and green investments.
Hasmarizal highlighted major projects in the pipeline, including the Malaysia-Thailand interconnection, Malaysia-Singapore interconnection, and projects in Vietnam, Sumatra (Indonesia), and Sarawak. He mentioned that the APG is essential for accelerating RE penetration by 2050, as relying solely on RE asset building in Peninsular Malaysia would not suffice to meet the 70 per cent target by 2050.
To achieve the ambitious targets of net-zero emissions by 2050, Malaysia has initiated 10 flagship projects, with TNB at the forefront through three flagship projects outlined in the NETR. The projects directly managed by TNB include the 2,500 megawatt (MW) high-rate floating solar power project, the development of five RE zones, each with a capacity of 100 MW, and the establishment of co-firing of hydrogen and ammonia.
Hasmarizal noted that by leveraging TNB’s expertise and the APG, Mala
ysia not only aims to meet its domestic targets but also to support ASEAN nations in their net-zero journey, enhancing regional energy security and sustainability. He also highlighted Malaysia’s strategic position at the heart of ASEAN, making it an ideal hub for the APG, with strong political will supporting TNB’s vision as the APG’s focal point. Furthermore, Malaysia’s abundant land provides significant potential for expanding RE capacity, positioning both Malaysia and TNB as leaders in APG development.