KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s clean energy transition will define the country’s competitiveness for the next 50 years, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that as the South-East Asia region now drives more than half of the global energy demand, it is high time to act decisively or face accountability to future generations for its complacency.
Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said that by 2030, the region’s electricity consumption would equal that of Japan and South Korea combined.
He said this in his speech during the launch of Race to Zero at the Clean Energy Transition Asia Summit 2025 held yesterday at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
“The choices we make today, be it in policy, in technology, in investment, in cooperation – we will shape not only industries, but livelihoods and legacies.
“Race to Zero 2026 is a nationwide movement across five states.
“Malaysia’s commitments are clear: to achieve net-zero by 2050 and 45% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030. But commitments alone don’t move nations – momentum does.
“That is why we are here. Not merely to exchange technical ideas, but because we know that energy transition is a trust we must honour so our children inherit a world brighter than the one we stand in,” said Fadillah.
Sharing ideas: Fadillah meeting participants of the Clean Energy Transition Asia Summit 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
He added that for Asean countries to meet the energy transition responsibly, it would need US$200bil-300bil (RM823bil-1.2 trillion) in annual clean energy investments.
“The ministry is crafting a future-ready ecosystem which is secure, low-carbon, flexible and interconnected.
“Malaysia’s goal is ambitious: 70% renewable capacity by 2050. Solar will grow fivefold. Grid-scale battery systems will stabilise our future grids. Over 1GW of storage is already moving under the National Energy Transition Roadmap.
“As an anchor nation in the Asean Power Grid, we are shaping a regional energy corridor where electrons flow freely across nations – lowering costs, improving stability and elevating competitiveness.
“This is precisely what energy transition must do – expand opportunities, create new industries and ensure prosperity is shared.
“Malaysia’s first 50MW renewable energy export to Singapore is more than a technical achievement – it is a proof of capability, trust and regional readiness.
“We are preparing to add up to 2GW of new renewable energy capacity annually – creating jobs, building supply chains and shaping green industrial clusters,” said Fadillah.
He added that with Malaysia at the heart of the Asean system for renewable energy – with five existing interconnections and more being developed – Asean aims for full regional interconnection by 2045.
“Malaysia will play the role of balancing hub, transit nation and anchor for multilateral power trading,” said Fadillah.
The three-day summit gathers leaders, investors and policymakers on Asia’s clean energy ecosystem.
