Malaysia’s utility firm Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) said Wednesday that it has solidified its pledge to spearhead Malaysia’s energy transition by championing transformative renewable energy projects.
TNB President and Chief Executive Officer Baharin Din said during his keynote address at the 24th Conference of the Electricity Power Supply Industry (CEPSI) held recently in China that TNB is currently finalizing partnerships and conducting feasibility studies for the development of Renewable Energy (RE) Zones for large-scale solar (LSS) and hybrid floating solar photovoltaic (PV), totaling an impressive 2,500 MW in capacity.
He also said the company is also exploring groundbreaking co-firing projects involving hydrogen and ammonia, signaling a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability.
“We are fast-tracking these key projects under National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) which is in line with our Energy Transition Plan (ETP), spanning the entire electricity value chain. These initiatives represent tangible steps in our journey towards fulfilling our sustainability commitments and vision, all the while fostering robust business growth,” he said.
He also said TNB is actively formulating a robust business case for hydrogen production, encompassing both export and domestic usage, with an anticipated completion timeline of two years.
According to him, green hydrogen will play a prominent role in TNB’s co-firing initiatives under TNB Genco.
Next generation gas-fired power plants, equipped with hydrogen-ready technology, will be introduced starting in 2030, leading to electricity production characterized by significantly lower carbon emissions, he added.
Baharin also underscored the significance of the ASEAN-China collaboration in the relentless pursuit of net zero goals.
“Together, both powerhouses aren’t simply embracing net zero goals but leading the charge in navigating the global energy transition, forging monumental strides towards a low carbon future, and catalyzing substantial economic growth,” he said.
He also said that TNB stands at the forefront of the ASEAN energy transition, forging robust alliances with Chinese counterparts to harness cutting-edge green technology including advanced expertise and capabilities in green tech manufacturing.
According to him, the ASEAN Power Grid, a beacon of opportunity, promises economic prosperity for Southeast Asia and China, steering them closer to collective net zero aspirations.
Baharin also underscored TNB’s commitment to supporting Malaysia’s position as the regional data center hub, introducing the Green Lane Pathway – a game-changer tailored for the data center market, streamlining electricity supply and implementation timelines significantly.
“It is an exclusive initiative tailored to the needs of the data center market, offering expedited electricity supply options, and reducing implementation time from 36-48 months to 12 months,
“TNB also provides a One-Stop-Centre (OSC) for data center investors and anticipates the potential demand from data centers to exceed 4,300 MW by 2035,” he added.
Shifting gears, Baharin highlighted TNB’s commitment to empowering the ASEAN Power Grid and expressed anticipation for China’s support in RE projects, foreseeing immense growth, job creation, and economic development across the region.
“ASEAN and China are undeniably prominent players on the global energy stage, both playing pivotal roles in the ongoing energy transition,
“The immense potential for growth and collaboration between these two regions holds the key to achieving our shared objective of advancing towards a low-carbon, sustainable future,” he concluded.
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