Malaysia has emphasized the expansion of the renewable power generation capacity in its power generation plan. The country aims to expand its installed renewable energy capacity by 31% in 2025 and 40% in 2035. The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, Datuk Seri Dr. Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, said in a virtual meeting with his ASEAN counterparts that Malaysia currently had nearly 8,000 MW of installed renewable energy capacity that would be expanded to 18,000 MW by 2035.
Peninsular Malaysia will account for most of the planned renewable energy capacity expansion. About 26% of the targeted 31% capacity addition will come from this region which accounts for 80% of the country’s population. Peninsular Malaysia’s renewable energy capacity is projected to increase to 10,944 MW in 2035 from 4,430 MW now. Shamsul Anuar also presented plans to introduce utility-scale battery energy storage systems with a total capacity of 500 MW after 2030.
Shamsul Anuar added that the renewable energy target would help reduce the carbon emission intensity from Malaysia’s power sector by 45% in 2030 and 60% in 2035, in line with the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) targets under the Paris Climate Accord. Anuar also noted that natural gas would replace over 7,000 MW of coal power plants’ Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) set to expire in 2033.
