By Amanda L
KUCHING, June 14: Sarawak will need to upgrade its electricity grid to support future cross-border power flows and regional energy trading, as Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) moves ahead with a RM42 billion programme to modernise Peninsular Malaysia’s transmission system by 2028.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof said the investment would include upgrading sections of the national transmission network to a 500kV system, strengthening Malaysia’s capacity to meet rising electricity demand and support future regional energy integration.
“We need robust transmission infrastructure as ASEAN countries work towards greater electricity connectivity and cross-border power trading.
“TNB has given its commitment to invest about RM42 billion up to 2028 to upgrade its grid system, including sections that will operate at 500kV capacity,” he told reporters after officiating the new Surau Nurul Muslimin building in Kampung Sungai Bedil Besar here today.
He noted that infrastructure readiness remains one of the biggest challenges facing regional energy integration efforts, with several countries still needing significant upgrades to their existing transmission networks.
According to Fadillah who also serves as Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) continues to coordinate efforts to harmonise technical standards and regulatory requirements for electricity exchanges among member states.
However, differing levels of grid development across the region mean substantial investment will be required before a fully integrated regional electricity network can be realised.
Fadillah said Sarawak would also need to invest in upgrading its transmission infrastructure to support future energy trading and rising cross-border electricity flows.
“Eventually, we will also have to upgrade our grid in Sarawak,” he noted.
At the same event, Fadillah officiated the new Surau Nurul Muslimin building in Kampung Sungai Bedil Besar, a project that he said stemmed from a community aspiration dating back to around 2004.
He recalled that the project required negotiations with landowners before the site could be acquired, with ex-gratia payments totalling RM280,000 provided to the heirs involved.
The surau was eventually constructed at a cost of approximately RM2.6 million. He said the project encountered several challenges along the way, including issues involving the initial contractor that ultimately led to its termination before a rescue contractor was appointed to complete the works. — DayakDaily
