KUALA LUMPUR, 1 June 2023 — Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has formed a new sustainability division to drive the implementation of its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy, thus reinforcing its sustainability commitment and responsible energy transition (ET) journey, said TNB president and chief executive officer, Dato’ Indera Ir. Baharin Din.
“The new division, to commence from 1st June 2023, will push further TNB’s sustainability drive by anchoring on three strategic pillars which are energy sources, energy vector, and energy usage,” he said after TNB’s Analysts Briefing for the group’s first quarter financial results announcement at TNB Platinum, Bangsar on Wednesday (30 May).
To reinforce its ET Plan, TNB has established an integrated ET framework, guiding the group towards a more sustainable future along the electricity value chain, and anchored on the three pillars.
Under its sustainability pathway, TNB aspires to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, underpinned by a commitment to reduce 35% of its emissions intensity as well as 50% of its coal generation capacity by 2035.
On the energy sources pillar, TNB Power Generation Sdn Bhd (TNB Genco) has committed to several expansion plans from 2023 onwards which include the ongoing construction of the Nenggiri Hydro Project scheduled for commercial operation in 2027 and the finalisation of a new power purchase agreement for the Sungai Perak Life Extension Program. The other two are the model planning for the Paka Repowering project and the finalisation of a partnership collaboration for the new 2,100 MW combined cycle gas turbine in Kapar.
In addition, TNB Genco and its subsidiary, TNB Remaco Sdn Bhd have submitted an expression of interest in liquefied natural gas to power projects in Vietnam and signed a memorandum of understanding with North Power Service Joint Stock Company (EVNNPS) for future collaboration on potential energy-related services in Vietnam.
The Energy Vector’s push for 2023 will be through the Grid Division in which TNB is currently discussing with the relevant authorities both in Malaysia and Singapore to form a joint committee to study the feasibility of a second link between Peninsular Malaysia to Singapore.
Similarly for the Sumatera to Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah to Kalimantan interconnections, TNB is engaging Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) of Indonesia in formalizing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to revive the feasibility study for the identified interconnections.
On the interconnection with Thailand, Baharin said TNB and Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) are already in the midst of collaborating through a Joint Working Committee in conducting a feasibility study to increase the capacity of the Malaysia-Thailand interconnection.
“On Energy Usage, TNB GSPARX Sdn Bhd (GSPARX) will provide an extra push on renewable energy (RE) penetration while growing TNB’s revenue source. GSPARX aims to secure an additional solar generation capacity of approximately 145-megawatt peak (MWp) for 2023. With 1,926 rooftop solar projects secured with a total of 272 MWp capacity, GSPARX is expected to generate RM70 million in revenue this year.
“Currently, TNB has activated six TNB Electron EV charge points at selected Rest and Service Areas (R&Rs) along the North-South Expressway and East Coast Expressway Phase 2 with three more in the pipeline by the end of 2023.”
Baharin said 2023 continues to be another exciting year in the Group’s pursuit of Net Zero 2050 aspirations. TNB has received increasing requests for high voltage supply mainly by manufacturing companies and hyperscale data centres (DC) with a potential maximum demand of 4,300 megawatts (MW).
“These include DC investments from major international companies with a maximum demand of 760 MW mainly in Selangor and Johor. To cater to DC demands, TNB has set up a one-stop centre (OSC) for a business-friendly and seamless process.
TNB sees this as both demand growth and potential business opportunities that will have a multiplier effect on the economy, encouraging foreign direct investments (FDIs) of USD43 billion by 2035 and renewable energy (RE) investments in Malaysia,” he said.
Regionally, Baharin said TNB has stepped up its responsible ET agenda through collaboration with major power players in Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos to capitalize on serving regional demand with greener power.
“Beyond new revenue streams from renewables, these collaborations allow for a wider integration and reallocation of RE resources that will help decarbonise the ASEAN power system as well as ensure greater energy security for the region.
These strategic partnerships will boost our ongoing drive to strengthen the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) interconnectivity and advance Malaysia’s aspiration of becoming the RE hub for ASEAN,” he concluded.
— Akses Malaysia