Busan: Clear policy direction and regulatory certainty by the government must be matched by the private sector’s innovation, technology deployment and financing, as public-private collaboration is the key enabler in modernising power systems. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof emphasized the importance of this synergy at the Public-Private High-Level Dialogue on Power Transformation: Investing in Infrastructure of the Future, highlighting the challenge of modernising power systems and the significant investments required, which cannot be managed by governments alone.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadillah, who also serves as the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, stated that by identifying enablers, addressing barriers, and promoting practical investment pathways, opportunities can be created not only to decarbonise power systems but also to establish new industries, bolster electricity security, and produce high-quality jobs across all economies. During his address at the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM16) and Mission Innovation 10 (MI10) in Busan, he asserted that no single economy could achieve this transformation independently, but through collaboration and shared ambition, power systems could be developed to ensure energy security and drive sustainable prosperity.
Malaysia, as part of the 21-member economies in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), has been invited for an intervention during the CEM16/MI-10 forum, which runs concurrently with the APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting and the World Climate Industry Expo 2025. CEM encompasses 24 member nations and various international organizations, including Australia, China, the European Commission, India, Japan, and the United States.
Fadillah cited Malaysia’s experience, noting strong private participation in large-scale solar, battery storage, and grid digitalization projects enabled by transparent policies and market frameworks. He emphasized that as clean energy deployment accelerates, resilient, flexible, and modernized power sector infrastructure will be crucial to maintaining progress.
He also expressed support for the CEM-MI Agenda for Action, launched in Brazil last year, as a timely framework to mobilize collective action and expedite investments in clean energy infrastructure. Speaking to the media following the CEM16 session, Fadillah mentioned discussions among CEM16 members and industry players focused on the importance of enhancing the energy grid system to meet data center and current needs.
Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap aims to achieve 70 percent renewable energy capacity by 2050. The roadmap includes plans to scale up solar and hydropower, advance green hydrogen as a new energy frontier, and explore digital solutions for demand-side management. Fadillah concluded his two-minute intervention by stressing Malaysia’s efforts to modernize the national grid, implement grid flexibility initiatives, and strengthen regional interconnections through the ASEAN Power Grid.
South Korea’s Vice Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy Lee Ho-hyun remarked that the world requires a powerful alliance that unites technology, policy, finance, and industry. He expressed Korea’s commitment to being a reliable partner in this significant transition.