The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project has reached another key milestone with the activation of its final 132kV feeder station, completing the main power supply network for the Kota Bharu-Gombak rail line.
The Feeder Station 08 in Maran, Pahang was activated today, bringing all 10 132kV feeder stations along the Kota Bharu-Gombak alignment into operation.
Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) said the activation marks the completion of the main power supply system, which forms the backbone of the ECRL’s electrified rail network.
The milestone is expected to strengthen the overall readiness of the ECRL system and facilitate full system integration ahead of the planned commercial operation of the Kota Bharu-Gombak section in January 2027.
The activation ceremony was officiated by MRL Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Sri Darwis Abdul Razak and China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd (CCCECRL) Managing Director Deng Bo, with senior officials from Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), MRL and the ECRL project also in attendance.
MRL said a stable and consistent electricity supply is critical to the operation of a modern railway, supporting key systems including electrification, signalling, telecommunications, the operations control centre and train services.
The first feeder station to be activated was Feeder Station 06 at Kuantan Port City, Gebeng, which came online in December 2025.
With the activation of Feeder Station 08, the entire main power supply network for the Kota Bharu-Gombak section has now been completed and energised.
Darwis said the latest milestone further strengthens the project’s readiness to enter the system integration testing phase.
“The activation of Feeder Station 08 completes the activation of all 132kV feeder stations for the Kota Bharu-Gombak ECRL alignment, further strengthening the project’s readiness to enter the ECRL operational system integration testing phase,” he said.
He added that the achievement reflected the commitment of all parties involved in ensuring critical infrastructure components meet the highest safety and quality standards.
Darwis also credited the close cooperation between MRL, CCCECRL and TNB, as well as the support of the state governments, local authorities, district offices, land and mines offices and other government agencies involved in the project.
MRL, a wholly owned company of Minister of Finance (Incorporated) [MOF (Inc.)], is the owner of the ECRL project and its assets, while CCCECRL serves as the project’s main contractor.
The 665km ECRL will connect the East Coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang with Selangor on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
Once operational, the ECRL is expected to reduce travel time between Kota Bharu and Gombak to about four hours, compared with around seven hours by road.
