TNB highlights RM43b grid investment, rural electrification plans
KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has welcomed the initiatives under Budget 2027, including a RM15 billion investment to strengthen the National Grid and measures to expand electricity bill protection for domestic consumers.
The national utility said the initiatives would help improve electricity supply security, support economic growth and accelerate Malaysia’s transition towards cleaner energy.
TNB also welcomed the extension of the electricity bill protection threshold for domestic consumers from 600 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to 800kWh per month until Dec 31, 2026.
The initiative, announced on Sept 17, is expected to benefit more than eight million domestic consumers, representing up to 90% of households served, according to TNB.
The company also supported measures to improve electricity access in rural communities, including solar-powered streetlights in villages, rooftop solar panels at welfare homes and places of worship, and electricity supply improvements at tahfiz and pondok schools as well as Orang Asli settlements.
TNB said it would work more closely with the government to expedite rural electricity supply projects.
On Bumiputera economic development, the utility said it had channelled more than RM11 billion through its Bumiputera Vendor Development Programme 3.0 (PV 3.0) as of June 2026, benefiting more than 1,200 Bumiputera vendors.
The programme, which began in 1994 through TNB’s broader vendor development efforts, aims to support Bumiputera businesses and expand their participation in the energy sector.
TNB said it would continue facilitating their involvement in renewable energy projects, grid upgrades and green technology initiatives.
The RM15 billion National Grid investment announced under Budget 2027 forms part of TNB’s planned RM43 billion investment between 2025 and 2027 to strengthen and modernise the electricity network.
The company also highlighted the ASEAN Power Grid initiative, which aims to improve cross-border energy connectivity and facilitate electricity exchanges among regional countries.
TNB said it was strengthening grid planning and development to meet rising electricity demand from industrial customers, particularly large-scale data centres, amid the expansion of the digital economy and artificial intelligence.
Initiatives such as the Green Lane Pathway are intended to streamline and expedite electricity infrastructure development for data centre projects.
Meanwhile, the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme and Green Electricity Tariff offer businesses options to meet their renewable energy requirements.
On the national energy transition, TNB said it would continue working with the government to advance the National Energy Transition Roadmap towards Malaysia’s target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Its efforts include expanding renewable energy capacity through Large-Scale Solar projects, Battery Energy Storage Systems and the Hydro Life Extension Programme.
TNB also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the national aspiration of achieving a 70% share of renewable energy in installed electricity generation capacity by 2050.
TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Shamsul Ahmad said the company’s priority was to ensure households continued to receive a safe and reliable electricity supply, while businesses had access to the energy needed to grow.
“As the nation’s electricity utility provider, TNB embraces this responsibility with the utmost commitment and integrity.
“We will continue to work closely with the government and stakeholders to ensure that the development of the nation’s energy system benefits the people, supports economic growth and contributes to a more sustainable future for generations to come,” he said.
