31/12/2025

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WEDNESDAY | DEC 31, 2025

TNB: Scaling energy roadmap needs sustained investment

KUALA LUMPUR: Scaling Malaysia’s energy roadmap will require sustained investment, resilient infrastructure and strong colla boration across utilities, policymakers, finan ciers and regional partners, including co operation with Asean counterparts and global technology players. Speaking at the Malaysia Pavilion at COP30, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) chief distribution network officer Mahathir Nor Ismail emphasised the importance of aligning infrastructure development, finan cing and regional interconnection to support a more resilient, interconnected and sus tainable energy future for Malaysia and Asean. He said that Malaysia is translating the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) into real-world implementation by strengthening grid readiness at the distri bution level. NETR is a strategic government plan launched in 2023 to shift the country from fossil fuels to a green economy by 2050, focusing on renewable energy, energy effi ciency, hydrogen, bioenergy and green mobility. However, accelerating the energy transi tion requires more than renewable deploy ment alone. Grid resilience, system flexibility and digital visibility are critical foundations, said Mahathir, who is also the incoming senior chief network officer from January 2026. COP30, officially known as the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, is the 30th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference. It was held at the Hangar Convention Centre in Belem, Brazil, last month. “Initiatives such as advanced supervisory control and data acquisition (Scada) systems, network automation and battery energy storage systems were cited as key enablers to support higher renewable penetration while maintaining reliability and system stability,” he said. TNB has been using the Scada system since 2006. Scada is the core technology for remotely monitoring and controlling Malaysia’s power grid from generation to transmission and distribution, enabling real-time fault detection, quick restoration and smarter grid management, including the integration of renewables like solar, as the utility moves towards an advanced distribution manage ment system for enhanced reliability and efficiency. Drawing on regional experience, Mahathir cited the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project and the broader Asean Power Grid as practical examples of how cross-border interconnection, opera tional trust and regulatory alignment can move the region from planning into execution. At the Asean Pavilion, TNB chief sustain ability officer Leo Pui Yong highlighted how the national utility is responding to climate

curement practices with ESG principles to support industry readiness, supplier trans parency and a more inclusive transition across the energy value chain. The session brought together Asean utilities, regulators and partners to explore how national initiatives such as Malaysia’s SPCC and the i-ESG framework, alongside regional ESG-aligned frameworks, can support a more coordinated approach to decarbonising supply chains and streng thening industry readiness across Asean. Amir said that by harmonising standards, promoting supplier transparency and leveraging digital tools for traceability, Asean can build a new ecosystem where sustainable supply chains become the baseline, not the exception. Malaysia’s Pavilion at COP30 carried the theme “Climate Action Now: Net Zero Pathway Unlocked,” reflecting the country’s firm commitment to accelerate climate action and strengthen regional co operation. Mahathir, Leo and Amir represented TNB at COP30 by contributing perspectives across the energy transition value chain, from grid readiness and regional interconnection to climate-resilient infrastructure planning and sustainable procurement practices. Together, the sessions highlighted the importance of sustained investment, resilient systems and cross-sector collaboration in supporting Malaysia’s NETR and advancing a more secure, inclusive and sustainable energy future for Asean. – Bernama

o Resilient infrastructure and strong collaboration across stakeholders, sectors and regions required too

inclusive and scalable across the wider industry, said TNB chief procurement officer Amir Mahmod Abdullah. He explained that TNB has embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into supplier engagement, capability development and procurement processes for NETR-aligned initiatives, including renewable energy and grid expansion, to support industry readiness and long-term resilience. He added that initiatives such as TNB’s sustainable procurement code of conduct (SPCC) provide a structured framework to guide suppliers in meeting ESG expectations while supporting small and medium enter prises in adapting to evolving regulatory and market requirements. Complementing industry efforts, Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry’s i-ESG framework provides phased support to manufacturers, particularly SMEs, in integrating ESG standards, including readiness for international requirements such as the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. At the session titled “Future-Proofing Industries: Strengthening Sustainable Supply Chains for a Just Transition” at COP30, Amir highlighted the importance of aligning pro

risks across a complex and highly exposed infrastructure system, as part of broader efforts to strengthen climate adaptation. With more than 90,000 assets operating nationwide, the session highlighted how floods, extreme heat, sea-level rise and other weather-related disruptions are already affecting infrastructure performance. “These realities position climate adap tation not as a future aspiration, but as an immediate system reliability priority that must be addressed across planning, opera tions and asset design,” she said. Leo said TNB’s approach integrates systematic climate risk assessments, forward looking climate parameters and data-driven analysis into long-term infrastructure planning, asset development and operational decision-making to strengthen resilience under future climate conditions. Building resilient infrastructure requires cross-sector collaboration, shared data, strong governance, and regional co operation, enabling utilities, governments and partners across Asean to align planning, manage risks collectively and safeguard communities while supporting sustainable growth and a just transition, she said. Sustainable procurement plays a critical role in ensuring the energy transition is

Mahathir: Grid resilience, system flexibility crucial.

Amir: Aligning procurement and ESG practices.

Leo: TNB responding to climate risks.

MAHB reinforces long-term growth strategy with ISG modernisation KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is continuing to invest ahead of sustained passenger demand at Istanbul Sabiha Gokçen International Airport (ISG), reinforcing its long-term focus on capacity, efficiency and resilience across its airport network. highlighting its approach to planning and delivering infrastructure that supports growth over time. The group emphasised its phased, demand driven investment strategy, designed to strengthen airport performance while safe guarding passenger comfort and operational stability. close collaboration between Sabiha Gökçen International Airport Authority, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport Investment Development and Operation Inc, and MAHB. “The project demonstrates how disciplined planning, phased delivery and operational expertise can be applied in high-growth environments, whether in Europe or within Malaysia’s own airport network,“ it said. optimisation works were driven by sustained passenger growth and the need to enhance capacity and passenger flow in a measured, structured manner. “It reflects how we plan, invest in and operate airports over the long term. The same approach guides our work in Malaysia, where we continue to enhance assets, processes and capacity to support future travel demand while maintaining consistent service standards across the network,“ he added. – Bernama In a statement, MAHB said, it recently inaugurated Phase 1 of ISG’s expansion following the completion of Terminal 1’s modernisation and optimisation works, “The €70 million (RM332 million) expansion project, targeted for completion by the second quarter of 2026, is being delivered through MAHB managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said the Terminal 1 modernisation and