Malaysia Championed ASEAN Unity for Clean Energy and Climate Investment

Malaysia took the lead in urging stronger ASEAN collaboration on clean energy and climate finance, as Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof delivered a keynote address at the Unlocking Capital for Sustainability (UCFS) 2025 Forum in Kuala Lumpur. As part of its preparations to chair ASEAN in 2025, Malaysia called on regional leaders to act collectively in tackling the energy trilemma of sustainability, affordability, and energy security. Fadillah highlighted that Malaysia had launched the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), which aimed to achieve 70% renewable energy capacity by 2050. He stated that the roadmap had already sent strong signals to markets and investors by reducing uncertainty and creating a more investable environment. He emphasized the country’s investments in modern infrastructure such as smart grids, energy storage, and upgraded transmission systems to support cross-border power exchanges. He also noted that the transition needed to remain just and inclusive, with efforts to reskill workers from carbon-intensive industries. Malaysia reaffirmed its leadership in driving the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) initiative, which aimed to enable cross-border electricity trade and modernize regional energy systems. Fadillah confirmed that Malaysia planned to table key updates on the APG by October 2025, as part of its strategy to harmonize regulations, foster public-private partnerships, and unlock long-term investments aligned with climate goals. He also detailed Malaysia’s contributions to bridging the region’s US$1.5 trillion annual climate finance gap, through initiatives like the ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, development of green bond standards, and multilateral collaboration to de-risk investments. Domestically, programs such as the Green Electricity Tariff, Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme, and Community Renewable Energy Aggregation Mechanism had expanded access to clean power while attracting high-value investments. Fadillah concluded by urging ASEAN to act decisively and in unison, stating that the region’s legacy would be shaped by the choices made today.