A regional electricity grid, nuclear power and ramping up renewables and electric vehicles are among the ways South-east Asia could boost energy security while also meeting rising energy demand, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on June 15.

Every clean energy source comes with a condition attached. Solar stops the moment the sun sets. Wind quits when the air goes still. Even hydropower leans on whatever the season decides to send down the river. The one thing the global grid genuinely lacks is a clean source that simply runs through the night, through a storm, without asking the weather for permission.

For decades, the ASEAN Power Grid has remained one of Southeast Asia’s most ambitious and challenging integration projects. But as energy demand rises, decarbonization pressures intensify and governments seek greater energy security, cross-border electricity trade is moving from a long-term aspiration to an urgent regional necessity.

Nuclear energy is not completely out of reach for Malaysia, but experts warn the nation must first commit to a long development process to establish a complete operational ecosystem.

Overwhelming response to two Islamic bond issuances by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) totalling RM2.5 billion for energy transition projects shows that Malaysia is well-positioned to lead in energy transition financing with the region.

Plug-in solar panels will soon be available to buy in supermarkets across the south. Anyone living in flats or homes without suitable roofs for traditional solar panels will be able to use the plug-ins.

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has reinforced its commitment to environmental sustainability with the launch of the My Brighter Green Initiative (MBGI) 2026, allocating RM800,000 to support biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration efforts across Malaysia.

Cambodia says its rapid expansion of renewable energy has helped shield its electricity consumers from the impact of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, even as rising oil and gas prices continue to weigh on households and businesses.

Malaysian homeowners are increasingly investing in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Fuelled by the growing popularity of smart homes and the steady uptake of electric vehicles (EVs), rooftop solar is being positioned as the centrepiece of integrated, low-carbon households, promising lower electricity bills and greater self-sufficiency.

Malaysia’s energy transition is entering a defining phase in 2026. As demand grows among investors, regulators and multinational corporations for cleaner energy adoption, renewable energy (RE) is no longer viewed as a supplementary option, but an economic necessity tied directly to competitiveness, investment attraction and long-term sustainability.

A Malaysian power systems specialist has struck a deal with a Hong Kong battery storage firm to pursue large-scale projects aimed at helping the country prepare its electricity grid for more renewable energy.

Malaysia's decision on whether to launch a nuclear power programme will depend on its level of preparedness across 19 key areas, which mostly focus on safety, said Energy Commission (EC) chief executive officer, Siti Safinah Salleh.