{
  "id": 3932059,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T09:29:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2026/08/28/malaysia-gets-a-bigger-power-backbone-with-new-500kv-grid-project/233045"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 – Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has officially started the construction of a groundbreaking 500-kilovolt (kV) National Grid Backbone transmission line, a key project to bolster national energy security, speed up the energy transition, and meet future electricity demands. The launch of the PMU Kampung Awah site in Maran, Pahang, signals a major milestone in the development of this ambitious National Grid Backbone, which will link vital locations along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Upon completion by 2030, this infrastructure will be the longest 500kV transmission system ever built in Malaysia, measuring around 500km in length. The Strategic Node PMU Kampung Awah will act as a critical transmission hub, boosting transmission capacity, facilitating inter-regional power transfer, and enhancing the resilience and reliability of Malaysia's electricity network. Situated along the Paka-Kampung Awah-Bahau South-Kulai East transmission corridor, the PMU Kampung Awah will bolster grid connectivity, provide additional capacity to integrate current and future energy sources, and support industrial and commercial growth, attracting investments across engineering, construction, operations, and related sectors. Strengthening the national grid, TNB emphasizes that the 500kV National Grid Backbone will offer high-capacity bulk power transmission across Peninsular Malaysia, improving network connectivity, efficiency, and resilience. This infrastructure development will reinforce the National Grid across Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, and Johor, further enhancing overall grid readiness and facilitating the successful implementation of Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). As part of TNB's long-term strategy to modernize Malaysia's electricity grid, the project is allocated RM43 billion from 2025 to 2027. The National Grid Backbone will supply the necessary transmission capacity and grid flexibility to accommodate Malaysia's shifting electricity demand, facilitate greater renewable energy integration, particularly in the Eastern Region, and bolster the grid's preparedness to cater to the growing requirements of AI-driven industries, data centers, digital infrastructure, and high-value green investments. This, in turn, will enhance Malaysia's competitiveness and position the nation as a leading regional energy hub. Pahang's Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, officiated the PMU Kampung Awah project launch, highlighting its role in attracting green and high-tech investments to the state, driven by improved transmission capacity, grid reliability, and future energy demand readiness. Meanwhile, TNB's president/chief executive officer, Datuk Ir. Ts. Shamsul Ahmad, underscored how the project exemplifies TNB's commitment to investing in critical infrastructure that bolsters Malaysia's energy security and enables the nation's energy transition. \"A resilient and future-ready grid is crucial for Malaysia to meet rising electricity demand, incorporate more renewable energy, and promote sustainable economic growth,\" Shamsul stated.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 –– Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) marked another significant achievement in its commitment t...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-08-28T08:13:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}