KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM85.24bil in utility savings is expected to be achieved through the National Energy Efficiency Policy and Action Plan 2026-2035 (NEEAP 2.0), says Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
The Economy Minister said NEEAP 2.0 would also reduce national energy demand by 11.6% and achieve cumulative energy savings of 815,383 terajoules (TJ) by 2035.
He noted that the action plan, guided by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, also includes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions avoidance of 26,108 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq).
“The Act marks an important shift towards institutionalising efficiency across our economy.
“Together with the next phase of national policy, including thermal energy management, it will encourage users to optimise consumption, improve competitiveness and reduce pressure on the grid,” he said in his speech at the 7th International Sustainable Energy Summit (ISES 2026) yesterday.
Akmal Nasrullah noted that over the past decade, NEEAP 1.0 had delivered electricity savings of 60,886 gigawatt-hours, exceeding its target of 52,233 gigawatt-hours.
“This is equivalent to an estimated GHG reduction totalling 35.6 million tonnes and savings of approximately RM16.1bil,” he said.
He said energy efficiency must become a standard business practice, a national productivity tool and, ultimately, a way of life for Malaysians.
NEEAP 2.0 focuses on four strategic thrusts, namely the implementation of an energy efficiency (EE) plan; reskilling and upskilling the workforce for operational EE improvements; sustainable funding mechanisms; and facilitating private sector EE initiatives and investments.
Key initiatives include improving EE across the industrial, building and domestic sectors through measures such as energy-efficient facilities, energy audits, and the regulation of new equipment and appliances.
NEEAP 2.0 is in line with key national roadmaps, namely the National Energy Policy 2022-2040, National Energy Transition Roadmap, New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the 12th and 13th Malaysia Plans.
NEEAP 2.0 was developed with input from multiple stakeholders, including ministries, government agencies, industry associations, key industry players, experts and other relevant stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry said the implementation of NEEAP 2.0 is expected to attract RM36bil in private investment and create approximately 29,000 new jobs.
Building upon the achievements of the previous action plan, NEEAP 2.0 will drive the nation’s energy transition towards the aspiration of net-zero emissions by 2050.
“Priority will continue to be given to high-impact sectors to stimulate the country’s economic growth, while ensuring the participation of all segments of society,” the ministry said.
The ministry added that the estimated cumulative energy savings of 815,000 TJ was equivalent to the energy required to meet the electricity supply needs of Peninsular Malaysia for nearly two years.
