Bel©m: Scaling Malaysia's energy roadmap will require sustained investment, resilient infrastructure, and strong collaboration across utilities, policymakers, financiers, and regional partners, including cooperation with ASEAN counterparts and global technology players. Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) chief distribution network officer Mahathir Nor Ismail emphasized this at the Malaysia Pavilion during COP30.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mahathir underscored the importance of aligning infrastructure development, financing, and regional interconnection to support a more resilient, interconnected, and sustainable energy future for Malaysia and ASEAN. He highlighted Malaysia's efforts in translating the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) into actionable implementation by strengthening grid readiness at the distribution level.
NETR, launched in 2023, is a strategic government plan aimed at transitioning the country from fossil fuels to a green economy by 2050, focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency, hydrogen, bioenergy, and green mobility. However, Mahathir noted that accelerating the energy transition requires more than just renewable deployment. He pointed out that grid resilience, system flexibility, and digital visibility are critical foundations for the transition.
COP30, officially known as the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference, took place at the Hangar Convention Centre in Bel©m, Brazil, last month. Mahathir mentioned that initiatives like advanced supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, network automation, and battery energy storage systems are key enablers for supporting higher renewable penetration while maintaining reliability and system stability. TNB has utilized the SCADA system since 2006, which is essential for remotely monitoring and controlling Malaysia's power grid.
Mahathir also drew on regional experience, citing the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project and the broader ASEAN Power Grid as examples of successful cross-border interconnection, operational trust, and regulatory alignment, which can move the region from planning into execution.
At the ASEAN Pavilion, TNB's chief sustainability officer Leo Pui Yong addressed how the national utility is responding to climate risks across a complex infrastructure system as part of efforts to strengthen climate adaptation. With over 90,000 assets nationwide, climate-related disruptions such as floods and extreme heat are already affecting infrastructure performance. Leo stated that climate adaptation is an immediate priority that must be incorporated into planning, operations, and asset design.
TNB's approach involves integrating systematic climate risk assessments, forward-looking climate parameters, and data-driven analysis into long-term infrastructure planning and operational decision-making, aiming to enhance resilience under future climate conditions. Building resilient infrastructure requires cross-sector collaboration, shared data, strong governance, and regional cooperation to align planning and manage risks collectively.
Additionally, TNB chief procurement officer Amir Mahmod Abdullah emphasized the role of sustainable procurement in ensuring the energy transition is inclusive and scalable. TNB has embedded environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its procurement processes for NETR-aligned initiatives. Amir highlighted TNB's sustainable procurement code of conduct (SPCC) as a framework guiding suppliers in meeting ESG expectations.
The session 'Future-Proofing Industries: Strengthening Sustainable Supply Chains for a Just Transition' at COP30 brought together ASEAN utilities, regulators, and partners to discuss aligning procurement practices with ESG principles. By promoting supplier transparency and leveraging digital tools, ASEAN can build sustainable supply chains as a new standard.
Malaysia's Pavilion at COP30, themed 'Climate Action Now: Net Zero Pathway Unlocked,' reflects the country's commitment to accelerating climate action and strengthening regional cooperation. Mahathir, Leo, and Amir contributed perspectives across the energy transition value chain at COP30, highlighting the importance of sustained investment, resilient systems, and cross-sector collaboration for Malaysia's NETR and a sustainable energy future in ASEAN.