KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia aims to bring online about nine gigawatts (GW) of gas-fired power capacity by 2032 to meet growing energy demands, even as it phases out coal-fired power plants, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said on Tuesday.
The capacity would form part of the country's efforts to manage electricity demand, with the last coal-fired power plant expected to be retired in 2044, Akmal said on the sidelines of the Energy Regulatory Insights 2026.
Energy demand was showing an upward trend, driven by factors including population growth, higher consumption from energy-intensive sectors such as data centers, and weather and climate conditions, particularly as hotter conditions increase the need for cooling systems and air conditioning, he said.
Akmal said against this backdrop, managing energy demand would become as crucial as managing energy supply over the next five to 10 years.
"I think for the next five to 10 years, Malaysia must really remain disciplined enough to ensure our system is continuously upgraded, not just in terms of the power produced, but also the grid and infrastructure, so that our system remains affordable, safe and sustainable," he added. ■