Kuala lumpur: The nation's energy transition is no longer a future agenda, but a transformation that is already taking place and will be experienced collectively by all Malaysians, says Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) Retail chief officer Datuk Kamal Arifin A. Rahman. He said technological developments, including artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation, were becoming increasingly integrated into daily life, making energy transition a present-day necessity.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kamal Arifin emphasized that energy transition is no longer an option but a reality. "Energy transition is already happening, and we will all go through it together. With its potential to improve the people's quality of life, energy transition can create new opportunities and build a cleaner and more resilient Malaysia," he noted in a recent interview. He also highlighted how energy issues, including electricity bills, supply stability, and cost of living, are becoming increasingly relevant to daily life, underscoring the urgency of embracing this transition now.
Kamal Arifin further elaborated on the upcoming Energy Transition Conference 2026 (ETCon26), scheduled from June 3 to 5 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), which aims to gather around 2,000 participants and 80 speakers. Themed 'Energy and AI: The Synergy for Energy Transition', the conference, initiated by TNB, will focus on three main pillars: Energy for AI, AI for Energy, and Energy Transition for People.
According to Kamal Arifin, ETCon26 is set to build on the momentum from the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) launch during ETCon2023 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He emphasized that the 'Energy Transition for People' pillar aims to help the public understand that energy transition is not merely technological but a transformation that benefits daily life. AI is already making the electricity supply system smarter, more stable, and efficient, ultimately benefiting people through better bill management, stable supply, or new economic opportunities.
Addressing public concerns about electricity costs and supply stability, Kamal Arifin mentioned that TNB manages the balance between sustainability, affordability, and supply security through the 'Energy Trilemma' concept. Efforts to expand the use of renewable energy, such as solar and hydro, are underway to provide more Malaysians and businesses access to green energy. The Solar Accelerated Transition Action Programme (Solar ATAP), introduced earlier this year, also offers rooftop solar solutions to support sustainable energy use.
He added that green energy development is progressing to ensure electricity costs remain reasonable and affordable. Kamal Arifin described NETR as more than an energy policy; it's an economic development plan that opens opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the local workforce, and the younger generation. Renewable energy development, grid modernisation, and smart energy technologies are creating a new economic ecosystem, offering high-value job opportunities and the need for upskilling and reskilling.
Among the initiatives currently accelerated by TNB are Solar ATAP, Large Scale Solar (LSS), the Community Renewable Energy Aggregation Mechanism (CREAM), the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS), electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem development, and Smart Grid. Kamal Arifin also stressed the importance of human capital development to produce more talent in technology, data, AI, and green engineering, supporting Malaysian youths, including those from the B40 group, to participate in and lead the future green economy.
Furthermore, Kamal Arifin said the public is no longer just electricity consumers but can become active energy managers using smart meters and the myTNB application. Over 85 per cent, or more than 7.5 million TNB customers, now use myTNB to manage and monitor their accounts. Technologies such as Smart Meters, the Energy Budget feature in the myTNB app, and the Time-of-Use (ToU) scheme allow users to monitor electricity consumption and manage usage strategically for savings.
ETCon26 will take place from June 3 to 5 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim set to officiate the conference on the second day. Members of the public can obtain more information and register via the official ETCon26 using the promotional code ETCON26BERNAMA to enjoy special offers.