Dewan Rakyat passes key energy bills to boost power security
The Electricity Supply Act 1990 saw 16 amendments, while the Energy Commission Act 2001 was amended in two key areas — primarily to bolster regulatory powers and oversight relating to the import and export of electricity.
Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the amendments to the Electricity Supply Act were intended to strengthen the existing legal framework and facilitate electricity exports to neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Singapore.
"The goal is to ensure stability, expand electricity supply options, safeguard the national grid, and guarantee energy security across the three countries in the event of supply disruptions," he said.
He said that the two laws were applicable only in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, as electricity supply in Sabah and Sarawak remains under the jurisdiction of their respective state governments.
Akmal assured lawmakers that electricity would only be exported when there is a surplus, stressing that domestic supply would remain the government's top priority.
"If any disruption occurs, priority will always be given to the national electricity supply," he said during his winding-up speech, adding that Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is currently the sole electricity exporter under a pilot initiative.
He also said that the country's national electricity reserves remained at an optimum level, ranging between 23 and 28 per cent.
Revenue generated from conventional electricity import and export would be channelled into the Electricity Industry Fund (KWIE), which is regulated by the Energy Commission, he said.
"This fund is used to manage the impact of tariffs on the public. Meanwhile, income from cross-border renewable energy trade will be directed to the Green Electricity Fund, which supports Malaysia's energy transition agenda and the development of its renewable energy sector.
"All Malaysians will benefit from the KWIE fund, which is supported by revenue from electricity trade," he added.
Akmal also said that Malaysia was still constrained by current transmission line capacities.
At present, only 300 megawatts (MW) can be transferred between Malaysia and Thailand, while 500MW can be transmitted between Malaysia and Singapore for commercial use, with an additional 500MW allocated for system security.
He said the realisation of the Asean Power Grid remained part of Malaysia's long-term plan to enhance national energy security.
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