How Malaysia is building its clean energy future

Malaysia has committed to a complete transition away from coal by 2044 and aims for 70% renewables penetration by 2050. The government is focusing on a systems approach that includes large-scale solar deployment, grid modernization via a MYR43 billion investment by Tenaga Nasional Berhad, and the exploration of nuclear power under the 13th Malaysia Plan. Key strategies include the proposed National Coal Site Repurposing Framework to transform retiring coal assets into clean energy hubs and the advancement of the ASEAN Power Grid to enhance regional electricity trading and resource access.

• Malaysia has established specific timelines for its energy transition, including a goal of 70% renewables penetration by 2050 and a target to fully transition away from coal by 2044, with a standing commitment to build no new coal-fired power plants.
• The government is implementing several large-scale clean energy and infrastructure projects, including 6GW of solar capacity through auctions, the MyBEST programme for battery storage, and a MYR43 billion ($10.8 billion) investment by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to overhaul the grid by 2028.
• To manage the phase-out of fossil fuels, Malaysia proposes a National Coal Site Repurposing Framework to transform retiring coal plants into strategic assets featuring renewables, battery storage, or small modular reactors (SMRs).
• Malaysia is diversifying its future energy mix by formally exploring nuclear power under its 13th Malaysia Plan and leading efforts to advance the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) to improve regional electricity trading and access to renewables.

APA

Yusof, A. H. F. B. H. (2026). How Malaysia is building its clean energy future. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/malaysia-building-clean-energy-future/

Chicago

Yusof, Amar Haji Fadillah Bin Haji. How Malaysia is building its clean energy future. World Economic Forum, 2026. https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/malaysia-building-clean-energy-future/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Yusof |first1=Amar Haji Fadillah Bin Haji |title=How Malaysia is building its clean energy future |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=1 July 2026 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/malaysia-building-clean-energy-future/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{yusof2026how, author = {Yusof, Amar Haji Fadillah Bin Haji}, title = {{How Malaysia is building its clean energy future}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2026}, month = jul, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/malaysia-building-clean-energy-future/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }