Tenaga Nasional Berhad is no longer just a domestic utility company as the energy giant seeks to expand its capability and expertise outside the shores and into new areas of energy production.
Its latest venture takes TNB to China, where it is spearheading a transformative partnership with China’s state-owned power utilities, aiming to revolutionise the APG through cutting-edge high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology.
Outgoing President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Seri Ir. Baharin Din whose tenure ends this year said “TNB is at the forefront of pioneering sustainable energy initiatives in the ASEAN region. Our exploration of HVDC technology is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability. Interconnection using HVDC technology will benefit power trading, resource sharing and RE integration between neighbouring ASEAN countries. We are looking at potentially collaborating with China’s state-owned power utilities.
As a staunch advocate of the APG, TNB is taking a comprehensive approach to its responsible Energy Transition (ET) journey, recognising the pivotal role of regional interconnections. Baharin reaffirmed TNB’s commitment to the APG by revealing that the company has inked 5 Memoranda of Understanding with neighbouring countries, focusing on interconnection and renewable energy generation.
Furthermore, Baharin stressed that the burgeoning energy demand from data centres, coupled with TNB’s Grid of the Future (GoTF) efforts, serves as a driving force behind the APG’s revolution. Notably, Malaysia is emerging as a focal point for data centre investments in the region, underpinned by increasingly favourable RE policies under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
Highlighting TNB’s recent milestones, the President disclosed the completion of six data centre projects, totalling approximately 292 megawatts (MW) of demand, with two projects commissioned ahead of schedule. He emphasised the strong interest in electricity demand, foreseeing a potential equivalent of over 7,000MW by 2035, solidifying the necessity for TNB’s regulated GoTF investments.
Baharin stressed the importance of a flexible grid capable of swiftly accommodating extensive solar installations and facilitating rapid connections within distributed solar networks and energy resources to meet escalating demand. “Our focus lies in delivering NETR project, complementing ET, and prioritizing green, reliable, and affordable power solutions that empower our customers while ensuring national supply security.”
