Kuala lumpur: Malaysia must focus on building an energy ecosystem that is cleaner, smarter, more interconnected, and future-ready under the 13th Malaysia Plan (MP13), said Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah. He emphasized the importance of grid modernization, large-scale renewable energy integration, and developing battery energy storage capabilities in his special address at the Energy Transition Conference 2026 (ETCon26).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Shahar highlighted the need for accelerating digitalization and the adoption of artificial intelligence. He stressed the importance of expanding ASEAN regional power connectivity and nurturing highly skilled talent for the new energy economy. As Malaysia embarks on its MP13 journey from 2026 to 2030, the nation must balance three critical priorities: ensuring long-term energy security and system resilience, accelerating decarbonization to meet climate commitments, and maintaining economic competitiveness and affordability for both the rakyat and industries.
He acknowledged the challenges in achieving this balance, with governments facing issues such as transition costs, market uncertainties, and growing investment pressures globally. Mohd Shahar noted that climate risks, supply chain disruptions, fuel price volatility, and geopolitical uncertainties increasingly threaten economic stability and long-term growth prospects. He asserted that sustainability should be viewed not as a constraint on growth, but as a foundation for resilience, competitiveness, and future prosperity.
Held from June 3 to 5, 2026, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, ETCon26 is a flagship conference envisioned by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB). It aims to bring together global stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the national energy transition agenda. Themed 'Energy and AI: The Synergy for Energy Transition', the conference is anchored on three content pillars: Energy for AI, AI for Energy, and Energy Transition (ET) for People, reflecting the growing interdependence between energy systems and digital technologies.