KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia plans to repurpose sites of retiring coal-fired power plants into renewable energy (RE) hubs and battery energy storage facilities under a proposed National Coal Site Repurposing Framework, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He said yesterday the country’s existing coal fleet represented significant national infrastructure, including transmission connections, industrial facilities and strategically located land.
“Rather than allowing these assets to become stranded, we should view them as opportunities to create new economic value.
“Selected sites possess strong potential to be transformed into RE hubs, battery energy storage facilities and other clean energy developments that continue contributing to local economies while supporting our national transition objectives,” he said.
He was delivering his address at the closing ceremony of the World Economic Forum’s “Malaysia’s Energy Future: Power Sector Decarbonisation Deep Dive”.
Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said the framework outlined in the World Economic Forum’s insight paper, “Beyond coal: Building a flexible, resilient and clean power system for Malaysia”, would provide a foundation for engagement among government, regulators, utilities, investors and local communities. — Bernama
