Kuala lumpur: Visitors stepping into Tenaga Nasional Bhd's (TNB) 'immersive tunnel' at the ongoing Energy Transition Conference 2026 (ETCon26) are not merely walking through an exhibition pathway but through an imagery vision of how Malaysia's energy landscape could evolve over the next quarter-century.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the tunnel is a major attraction, lined with interactive digital displays and animated visualizations, transforming complex concepts such as renewable energy, battery storage, hydrogen, carbon capture, and nuclear power into an experience that can be seen, touched, and explored. Instead of static information boards, visitors are greeted by moving graphics, illuminated panels, and touch-enabled exhibits that narrate the story of the country's journey towards net-zero emissions.
At one end of the tunnel, a visual timeline charts the anticipated transformation of the energy mix from 2025 to 2050. The display illustrates how emerging technologies, including hydrogen and nuclear energy, could complement existing generation sources as electricity demand continues to rise. Further along, visitors encounter interactive exhibits showcasing technologies expected to play a growing role in the transition, such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), floating solar installations, hydropower facilities, and regional power interconnections, presented as visual experiences designed to make the future of energy easier to understand.
A section focusing on floating solar technology uses digital renderings to demonstrate how solar panels can be deployed on water bodies, allowing clean energy generation without competing for land resources. Another area highlights the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) initiative, with an illuminated regional map showing potential seamless electricity flow across borders, connecting countries and enabling greater use of renewable energy resources throughout Southeast Asia.
The tunnel also explores technologies that remain subjects of public discussion, including carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), hydrogen production, and nuclear energy. Through visual storytelling, the exhibits explain how these technologies may contribute to reducing emissions while supporting growing energy needs.
A popular station allows visitors to become part of the exhibition using an AI-powered photo booth. Participants can select futuristic-themed outfits, pose for a photograph, and watch as their image is transformed and projected onto a large digital screen. The personalized image, accompanied by the visitor's name, becomes part of the tunnel's rotating display and can be downloaded as a keepsake. This creates an experience that blends technology, entertainment, and education.
As visitors emerge from the tunnel, the experience emphasizes that the energy transition is no longer a distant concept confined to boardrooms and policy papers; it becomes something tangible and imaginable. Running from June 3 to 5, 2026, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, ETCon26 is a flagship conference by TNB that brings together global stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the national energy transition agenda. The conference, themed 'Energy and AI: The Synergy for Energy Transition,' is anchored on three content pillars: Energy for AI, AI for Energy, and Energy Transition (ET) for People, reflecting the growing interdependence between energy systems and digital technologies.