Rise in energy demand boon for utility sector

Kenanga Research has maintained its “overweight” rating on the sector given its resilient earnings thanks to regulated asset returns for Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and gas-based players, as well as PPA-bound income for the IPPs.

PETALING JAYA: The outlook for the utility sector is bound to improve this year with the expected increase in energy demand due to a gradual pick-up in economic activity.

Utility players have generally remained resilient throughout the pandemic despite the drop in energy dispatch during the movement control order as independent power producers (IPPs) are covered under the power purchase agreements (PPA).