{
  "id": 6244028,
  "title": "Malaysia plans 9GW of gas-fired power capacity by 2032 as demand rises, says economy minister",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/malaysia-plans-9gw-of-gas-fired-power-capacity-by-2032-as-demand-6244028",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-08T05:40:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/08/malaysia-plans-9gw-of-gas-fired-power-capacity-by-2032-as-demand-rises-says-economy-minister/234409"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia plans to develop approximately nine gigawatts (GW) of gas-fired power capacity by 2032, as the nation grapples with increasing electricity demand while gradually phasing out coal-fired generation, according to Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir. The minister stated that this capacity will play a crucial role in managing electricity demand, with the final coal-fired power plant slated for retirement in 2044. Nasir cited factors such as population growth and heightened energy consumption in high-usage sectors like data centers as drivers of the rising energy demand. He also mentioned that weather and climate conditions, particularly hotter conditions, could affect energy demand patterns due to increased demand for cooling and air conditioning.\n\nNasir emphasized that managing energy demand will be as vital as managing energy supply over the next five to 10 years, urging the country to continuously upgrade its system, focusing not only on the megawatts produced but also on grid and infrastructure improvements to ensure affordability, safety, and sustainability. He stressed that energy planning should prioritize energy efficiency and conservation alongside the megawatts to be added to the system. The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, along with the Energy Commission, will oversee this planning to ensure effective demand management while adhering to sustainability goals and reducing the energy sector's carbon footprint.\n\nIn his keynote address, Nasir outlined three priorities for the next phase of energy reform. First, he called for a competitive and progressive energy market with clear rules, transparent access arrangements, and predictability. Second, he highlighted the importance of expanding generation capacity alongside a modern, intelligent, secure, and flexible grid. Notably, grid modernization is deemed essential under the 13th Malaysia Plan to facilitate quicker investments, enhance system efficiency, and support reliable economic growth. Thirdly, Nasir stressed the treatment of energy efficiency as a valuable energy resource, capable of reducing operating costs, alleviating system pressure, and enhancing competitiveness. Under the current National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP), Malaysia has already surpassed its initial target by achieving cumulative electricity savings of 60,886 gigawatt-hours, equivalent to RM16.1 billion in savings, between 2016 and 2025. Moving forward, NEEAP 2.0 aims for an 11.6% reduction in energy demand compared to a business-as-usual scenario by 2035, expected to lower energy costs, ease system pressure, and foster a more productive and competitive economy.",
  "summary": "PETALING JAYA, Sept 8 — Malaysia expects about nine gigawatts (GW) of gas-fired power capacity to be deployed by 2...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Nuclear energy under assessment as Malaysia prepares for rising power demand",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/nuclear-energy-under-assessment-as-malaysia-prepares-for-rising-power",
        "published": "2026-09-08T04:16:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Malaysia plans 9GW of gas-fired power capacity by 2032 as demand rises, says economy minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/malaysia-plans-9gw-of-gas-fired-power-capacity-by-2032-as-demand",
        "published": "2026-09-08T05:40:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}