{
  "id": 3923322,
  "title": "TNB starts building Malaysia's longest 500kV power backbone",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/tnb-starts-building-malaysias-longest-500kv-power-backbone",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T08:13:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/08/1520697/tnb-starts-building-malaysias-longest-500kv-power-backbone"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has commenced construction on Malaysia's longest 500 kilovolt (kV) national grid backbone, aiming to bolster the country's energy security and prepare the electricity system for escalating future demand. Scheduled for completion by 2030, the 500-kilometre project will be the largest 500kV transmission system ever constructed in Malaysia.\n\nThe project's foundation was laid with the inauguration of the 500kV transmission main intake substation (PMU) at Kampung Awah, situated in Maran, Pahang. This strategic location, along the Paka-Kampung Awah-Bahau South-Kulai East transmission corridor, will bolster grid connectivity and augment capacity for integrating existing and forthcoming power sources.\n\nTNB anticipates the project will stimulate industrial and commercial expansion, facilitate high-value investments, and generate opportunities throughout the local supply chain, encompassing engineering, construction, operations, and allied services. This national grid backbone will interconnect crucial sites across the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, reinforcing the national grid's resilience, reliability, flexibility, and transmission capacity. Moreover, it will align with Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).\n\nThe infrastructure development is integral to TNB's overarching long-term dedication to modernizing Malaysia's electricity grid. From 2025 to 2027, TNB is allocating RM43 billion towards grid development and modernization, with the aim of enhancing the national grid's reliability, resilience, and capacity. Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail expressed that the PMU Kampung Awah's development strategically positions Pahang within the national grid, attracting green and high-tech investments to the state. As a vital transmission node within the 500kV national grid backbone, the project will fortify Pahang's link to the national grid, bolstering readiness to host new industries, high-value investments, and emerging renewable energy ventures. TNB's president and CEO, Datuk Ir Ts Shamsul Ahmad, emphasized that the 500kV national grid backbone's development underscores TNB's commitment to investing in critical infrastructure, fortifying Malaysia's energy security, and enabling the nation's energy transition and sustainable economic growth.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has begun developing a new 500 kilovolt (kV) national grid backbone as the utility giant moves to strengthen Malaysia’s energy security and prepare the electricity system for rising future demand.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Malaysia gets a bigger power backbone with new 500kV grid project",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/malaysia-gets-a-bigger-power-backbone-with-new-500kv-grid-project",
        "published": "2026-08-28T09:29:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}