TNB unveils ambitious plans to drive RE revolution

(From left) TNB CFO Nazmi Othman, Baharin and TNB COO Datuk Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan during the briefing session

The company is at the forefront of advancing these objectives through 3 pivotal flagship projects outlined in the NETR

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) is boldly propelling forward with a vision to lead large-scale renewable energy (RE) and clean technology initiatives.

The company is at the forefront of advancing these objectives through three pivotal flagship projects outlined in the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).

During an analyst briefing for the second-quarter financial results, its president and CEO Datuk Indera Baharin Din, emphasised the company’s crucial role in championing three critical projects: The large-scale solar park (LSSP), hybrid hydro-floating solar (HHFS), and co-firing hydrogen and ammonia projects. These projects are integral to the NETR’s overarching goals.

“TNB’s energy transition plan aligns with the NETR, emphasising three key pillars: Accelerating generation decarbonisation, developing a flexible cross-border grid, and empowering cross-sector electrification and prosumers,” noted Baharin.

TNB’s ambitious roadmap includes the generation of a total of 3,000MW of RE by 2040, driven by its NETR flagship projects.

This includes harnessing 2,500MW through innovative hybrid hydro-floating solar (HHFS) technology, complemented by an additional 500MW from five distinct LSSPs, each boasting a capacity of 100MW.

The HHFS project, a multi-phase endeavour scheduled from 2023 to 2040, will be situated at TNB hydro dam reservoirs.

TNB Power Generation Sdn Bhd (TNB Genco) will spearhead the construction of a 230MW capacity installation at the Temenggor and Chenderoh hydro plants, forming part of the 2.5GW pipeline, with completion targeted for 2025.

Baharin also revealed that TNB’s New Energy Division (NED) is poised to generate 90MW through the Corporate Green Power Programme (CGPP), slated to commence operations in 2025.

This program addresses the escalating demand for sustainable energy solutions through LSSPs, complementing existing projects in Sepang, Selangor (50MW), Bukit Selambau (30MW), and Bukit

Selambau 2 (50MW) in Kedah, all projected to achieve full operational status by the end of this year.

TNB is actively collaborating with strategic partners such as Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) for co-firing hydrogen and ammonia projects, as well as Mitsui & Chugoku for ammonia and biomass initiatives.

These partnerships aim to diversify the company’s energy sources, with small-scale co-firing projects already underway at selected coal plants in Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan (Jimah East Power), and Lumut, Perak (Manjung 1 and Manjung 4).

He added that the front-end engineering design (FEED) phases are in progress, preparing for the co-firing implementation.

TNB remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving the 8.3GW RE target by 2025, with Baharin stating, “As of June 2023, we have already achieved 48% of our total target capacity. Including NETR Part 1 projects, we anticipate adding another 1,200MW of domestic RE capacity by 2025.

“We firmly believe that domestic RE will play a pivotal role in our portfolio, aligning with the nation’s objective of reaching 70% installed RE capacity by 2050.”

Furthermore, TNB is actively fostering partnerships with regional counterparts to support the realisation of the Asean Power Grid (APG), having secured 10 memorandums of understanding and letters of intent.

This underscores TNB’s dedication to advancing interconnection infrastructure development and renewable energy investments in the region.

Baharin highlighted that these NETR initiatives would not only significantly contribute to the nation’s economy but also propel Malaysia towards achieving its net-zero carbon aspiration.

He noted that TNB’s vital role in pivotal projects and its commitment to ensuring grid readiness for future challenges. — TMR