KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has positioned itself as a gateway for green investment in South-East Asia, with the government forecasting up to US$40bil (RM158.04bil) in capital inflows over the next decade, says Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad (pic).
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the R.A.C.E to Zero Summit 2026 on Tuesday (April 28), the Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) said Malaysia is "determined to lead" the regional shift towards decarbonisation.
Abdul Rahman said Malaysia is well-positioned to attract between US$30bil (RM118.53bil) and US$40bil (RM158.04bil) in investments over the next decade across renewable energy, grid infrastructure, energy storage and industrial electrification.
"Our message is clear: Malaysia is open. Malaysia is ready. Malaysia is committed," he told the 3,000 delegates.
He said Malaysia’s strategy centres on its role in the Asean Power Grid, noting electricity demand across the region is rising by 4% to 5% annually, driven by the growth of data centres and artificial intelligence.
Abdul Rahman said renewable energy has shifted from a moral choice to a strategic necessity.
He highlighted Energy Exchange Malaysia as a success story and said the country has begun exporting renewable energy to Singapore.
"Our goal is clear: for Malaysia to become a trusted energy hub and a key driver of the region's clean energy," he said, adding that the ministry will work to align technical standards and unlock green financing across the bloc.
Under the National Energy Transition Roadmap, Malaysia is targeting 70% renewable energy capacity by 2050 and a 45% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030.
To meet the goals, he said the government aims to commission up to 2GW of new renewable capacity each year.
"For Malaysia, the race to net zero is not just about climate action. It is about securing our energy future, strengthening our industries, and protecting our economic sovereignty," he said.
Abdul Rahman said the transition to renewables is a strategic path for national resilience amid global uncertainty and volatile fossil fuel prices.
He said Petra is investing in modernising grid infrastructure and deploying advanced battery storage systems to ensure the national system remains stable and reliable.
