The global switch to renewable energy has passed a “positive tipping point” where solar and wind power will become even cheaper and more widespread, according to two United Nations reports released Tuesday, describing a bright spot amid otherwise gloomy progress to curb climate change. Last year, 74% of the growth in electricity generated worldwide was from wind, solar and other green sources, according to the U.N.’s multiagency report, called Seizing the Moment of Opportunity.

Malaysia has not made any decision to proceed with nuclear energy, but is in the early stages of studying its feasibility as part of the country’s future energy mix, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. The Deputy Prime Minister said that the federal government’s current stance is to treat nuclear power as a long-term option, rather than an immediate solution, citing the complexity and safety concerns associated with the technology.

India has always taken a hard position on coal, arguing that it is crucial for its energy security and developmental needs. But energy experts and environment campaigners are increasingly saying it should at least try to decarbonise or curtail emissions from coal-fired power plants, if it can't be phased out altogether. "You can't wish away coal," Ashok Lavasa, a former secretary of union ministries of finance, and environment, forest and climate change, said at an event on 1 July. "The question is, if coal is king, then can it be a benevolent king?"

When Israel attacked Iran last month, energy markets around the world held their breath.Benchmark Brent crude prices, often considered a gauge for geopolitical risk, rose from less than US$70 a barrel on June 12, the day before Israel’s initial attack, to a peak of US$81.40 on June 23 following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Direct US involvement had investors particularly worried about the narrow Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman, through which nearly a fifth of global crude oil supply flows, highlighting the vulnerabilty of prices to geopolitical shocks.

The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry has allocated over RM260mil for seven energy projects across Sabah and Labuan, aimed at improving electricity supply for 60,434 users, said its minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Fadillah, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the projects implemented by the Sabah Electricity Supply Special Project Team, involve substation upgrades, expanded grid connectivity and improved safety monitoring systems in Sipitang, Beaufort, Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Ranau, Sandakan and Labuan.

The newly launched Hybrid Hydro Floating Solar (HHFS) and Green Hydrogen Hub projects in Terengganu have the potential to attract regional and international investors, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.  The Prime Minister said the new alternative energy initiative, a clean and green collaboration between Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), is aligned with both Malaysia’s energy policy and international aspirations for green energy.

In a groundbreaking development in the world of nuclear fusion, scientists at the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) facility have achieved a historic milestone. For the first time, high-energy helium-3 ions have been generated using ion cyclotron resonance heating. This achievement marks a significant step forward in fusion research, potentially paving the way for future fusion power plants.

Southeast Asia’s largest Battery Energy Storage System (Bess), with a capacity of 100MW and energy storage of 400MWh, has begun operations and is now connected to the Sabah grid. Sabah Electricity CEO Datuk Mohd Yaakob Jaafar said the system, developed since September 2024, currently supports 50MW of peak reserve capacity and will reach its full capacity of 100MW by early August. He said the facility would help stabilise the electricity supply in Sabah’s east coast, where users have experienced fluctuations.

Malaysia fully supports Vietnam’s aspirations for an Asean Power Grid — an infrastructure project to ensure energy security and sustainable growth. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia supported potential investment in renewable energy in southern Vietnam, including the seabed cable initiatives capable of strengthening two-way energy networks. Anwar said this after receiving a courtesy visit from Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. "I look forward to a follow-up meeting with him at the Asean Summit this October," he said after the meeting.

After shelving its nuclear energy ambitions in 2016, Vietnam is now giving atomic power another chance. The reversal stems from both desperation and ambition – the crippling blackouts of 2023 that shuttered factories, mounting pressure from Western partners to abandon coal, and a newly consolidated leadership eager to project technological prowess. However, Vietnam needs to surmount several challenges to meet this renewed ambition.

China has launched a fully seawater-based solar energy system – the first of its kind suitable for industrial use and large-scale power production – as part of broader efforts to expand renewables in coastal regions, boost the maritime economy and drive industrial innovation. Located in Qingdao, Shandong province, the floating solar station builds upon another offshore photovoltaic power generation project launched in late May. Together, they form the largest initiative of its kind by Sinopec, one of China’s biggest state-owned companies.

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) customers can now scrutinise their electricity usage with a new and more detailed bill format following the implementation of a new electricity tariff structure recently announced by the Energy Commission. The government approved the new structure under the Incentive-Based Regulation (IBR) mechanism under Section 26 of the Electricity Supply Act 1990. According to the official myTNB website, customers will receive bills that include a breakdown of three main components: Generation Charge, Network Charge, and Retail Charge.