Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is now on a solid track to achieve 40 percent renewable energy capacity by 2035 and 70 percent by 2050 under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, stated that Malaysia's renewable energy capacity has so far reached 30 percent, led by solar energy, which contributes more than 5,000 megawatts.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the next step is to decarbonize the electricity sector, including Malaysia's commitment to reduce coal capacity by 50 percent by 2035 and completely phase out coal-fired power plants by 2044. The goal accelerates the decarbonization process while maintaining the country's energy security and affordability. Coal has long been a key energy source for Malaysia, providing stable and affordable electricity, but the nation must evolve to remain competitive and sustainable in the new global energy landscape.
Through the implementation of NETR, Malaysia aims to achieve net zero carbon by 2050. The plan outlines a comprehensive approach that unites government policies, industry strategies, and the country's climate aspirations in a common direction. Fadillah emphasized that the energy transition focuses on building a people-centered energy system, ensuring affordable energy, enhancing national energy security, and generating high-quality job opportunities for Malaysians.
Earlier, Fadillah launched 'Malaysia's Green Energy Future - Energy Sector Decarbonisation Dialogue Series', an initiative aimed at shaping a clean, safe, and sustainable energy future. The initiative is jointly led by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) and the World Economic Forum (WEF), aiming to accelerate Malaysia's journey towards net zero carbon by 2050 through technical workshops and high-level roundtables to be held in 2026.
The dialogue series provides a platform for real solutions and actions to accelerate the transformation of Malaysia's energy sector. Fadillah highlighted Malaysia's commitment to the concept of 'Just Energy Transition', ensuring that communities, workers, and industries are not left behind in the process of change. The main challenge is to implement this transition in an orderly, equitable, and economically viable manner, with innovative solutions needed to maintain grid stability, mobilize sustainable financing, and expand the use of technologies like hydrogen, energy storage, carbon capture, and regional energy trading.
The Energy Sector Decarbonisation Dialogue Series will run for six to eight months, bringing together global and local experts in technology, policy, and finance to chart practical pathways to accelerate the decarbonization of Malaysia's energy sector.