Kuala Lumpur: As the energy transition becomes a competitive necessity across the ASEAN region, Malaysia already has clear policies in place to turn it into an economic advantage with the focus now shifting towards execution, said UEM Lestra Bhd.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chief Executive Officer Harman Faiz Habib Muhamad stated that UEM Lestra is actively contributing to this direction by bringing in capital and developing capabilities to initiate initial projects. “We come in with capital, and we’re building up capability so that we can start the first few projects, for example, the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS) which would open the path for a lot more investments in the same scheme within the country. (For Malaysia) I think it’s already on the right track,” he said during an interview at the ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2025 (AEBF-25).

UEM Lestra is set to supply electricity from its large-scale solar projects, including a one-gigawatt hybrid solar plant in Segamat under the CRESS framework. This initiative supports Malaysia’s renewable energy transition and aligns with the nation’s 2050 net-zero emissions target, positioning UEM Lestra as a pioneer in the initiative.

Within the ASEAN region, each member state is making strides to enhance its sustainability agenda, with the establishment of the ASEAN Power Grid being identified as a critical next step. This was one of the main themes highlighted at this year’s forum.

Harman Faiz emphasized Malaysia’s ambition to become a regional green hub, noting that stable regulations and clear policies are crucial to achieving this goal. Ongoing government efforts and new renewable energy initiatives are attracting developers, investors, and customers. The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) has been actively rolling out various RE initiatives and schemes, strengthening the policy landscape.

“The key takeaway from the past two days at the AEBF-25 has been the need for certainty and stability in the regulatory framework, as that would attract not just developers like us, but also customers for green energy and investors in the projects,” he added.

Harman Faiz also highlighted the importance of knowledge sharing in driving the nation’s green ambitions, particularly in building capabilities and expanding businesses. As a government-linked company, UEM Lestra is able to export its expertise, generating returns on investment that benefit Malaysia.

UEM Lestra is a wholly owned subsidiary and the green industry arm of UEM Group, which is fully owned by Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund, Khazanah Nasional Bhd.