Malaysia to turn retiring coal plants into renewable energy hubs

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Malaysia plans to repurpose the sites of retiring coal-fired power plants into renewable energy (RE) hubs and battery energy storage facilities under a proposed national coal site repurposing framework, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said today.

He said the country’s existing coal fleet represented significant national infrastructure, including transmission connections, industrial facilities, and strategically located land.

“Rather than allowing these assets to become stranded, we should view them as opportunities to create new economic value.

Fadillah said every retiring power station presented an opportunity to create new industries, attract investments, and prepare the workforce for the economy of the future.

Fadillah also said Malaysia remained committed to its target of not building any new coal-fired power plants, transitioning away from coal-fired electricity generation by 2044, and achieving 70% RE installed capacity by 2050.

He said RE deployment must progress ahead of coal retirement to avoid replacing coal dependence with greater reliance on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).

On regional cooperation, Fadillah reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to advancing the Asean Power Grid and expanding cross-border electricity trade to strengthen regional energy security and facilitate greater RE integration.