KUALA LUMPUR: The Energy Transition Conference 2026 (ETCon26), organised by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), will serve as a key platform for discussions on the energy transition agenda, bringing together national leaders, industry experts and stakeholders from around the world from June 3 to 5.
TNB Senior Chief Strategy, Regulatory and Sustainability Officer Datuk Ir Muhamad Nazri Pazil said the conference will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, is scheduled to deliver a keynote address on the opening day.
Other dignitaries expected to attend include Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, Minister of Economy Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Deputy Minister of Economy Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah, and Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.
Muhamad Nazri said ETCon26 will bring together policymakers, investors, academics and industry stakeholders from more than 60 countries, with an estimated 4,000 delegates expected to participate throughout the three-day event.
“In addition, about 80 speakers from various sectors will share their expertise, perspectives and solutions as we explore the best approaches to building a sustainable, clean and efficient energy ecosystem, not only for Malaysia but also for the wider ASEAN region,” he said during Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme titled “ETCON26 – Mastering the Energy Transition Phase of the Nation and ASEAN” recently.
Theme “Energy and AI: The Synergy for Energy Transition”, the conference will also serve as a strategic platform to strengthen regional energy cooperation, including efforts to advance the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) initiative.
Muhamad Nazri said Malaysia’s strategic location at the heart of ASEAN and its stable electricity grid infrastructure position the country to play a leading role in the region’s energy transition.
“The APG initiative enables ASEAN member states to share energy resources across borders. For example, when a country experiences a surge in electricity demand or a temporary supply shortage, neighbouring countries can provide support through cross-border energy sharing,” he said.
He added that, besides the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP), five additional cross-border energy projects involving Vietnam, Sarawak, Thailand and Singapore are currently being planned.
According to Muhamad Nazri, ETCon26 is designed not only as a platform for dialogue but also as a catalyst for action involving about 17 strategic collaboration exchanges and several new initiatives expected to be announced during the conference.
Among the highlights will be the launch of Southeast Asia’s largest floating solar project, aimed at meeting rising electricity demand, particularly from Malaysia’s rapidly expanding data centre industry.
“Currently, 36 data centres have been completed with a combined energy demand of 4.5GW, while another 23 are under construction,” he said.
Muhamad Nazri said TNB is also advancing several major initiatives, including large-scale gas power plant projects and grid modernisation efforts, to ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply capable of supporting the nation’s energy transition goals.
“There are three key priorities. First, to ensure a sufficient and secure energy supply. Second, to strengthen and modernise the grid so it remains stable and reliable while enabling faster integration of new energy sources.
“The third is to ensure that all these initiatives ultimately benefit the people,” he said.
He added that TNB is also accelerating the development of Malaysia’s smart grid ecosystem through the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and smart meters, with installations expected to reach nine million units by 2027.
“The grid today is no longer a one-way system as it was in the past. It is becoming increasingly intelligent and capable of monitoring electricity flows more effectively. These improvements will help ensure a more resilient and reliable energy supply while delivering direct benefits to consumers,” he said.
ETCon26 will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from June 3 to 5.
For more information, visit the ETConference official website https://the-etconference.com.
— BERNAMA
