Energy & Technology

JOHOR BAHRU, Johor has reached a historic milestone as global tech giant NVIDIA, in partnership with YTL Corporation, named the state one of only five NVIDIA Cloud Partners worldwide. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi described the appointment as a major vote of confidence in Johor’s digital ecosystem and its potential to drive digital transformation across ASEAN. “The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), leveraging the strengths of both Johor and Singapore, positions the state as a strategic gateway for regional digital and AI development. “The RM20.6 billion YTL Power-NVIDIA project, announced last December in Kulai, lays the foundation for Malaysia’s most advanced AI infrastructure,” he said in a Facebook post. He added that the initiative will develop the country’s first Large Language Model (LLM), generate thousands of high-tech jobs, and establish Johor as an ASEAN AI Centre of Excellence, demonstrating the state’s capacity to lead regional technological innovation with a clear and sustainable strategy. “The partnership will be further strengthened through multilingual AI model development, joint testbeds within JS-SEZ, and AI talent pipelines to support regional digital growth. This initiative is set to position Johor as a leading ASEAN hub for AI and digital innovation,” he said.

SUNGAI BESAR, Malaysia is on track to host Southeast Asia’s first rocket launch pad by 2029, with three shortlisted sites located in Pahang, Sarawak, and Sabah. Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) Director-General Datuk Azlikamil Napiah said the initiative, part of the National Space Policy 2030, could contribute more than RM10 billion to the nation’s GDP if Malaysia positions itself as a regional hub in the growing space industry. “Three parties have expressed interest so far, with one submitting a full feasibility study last week. The report will be reviewed within 90 days. Any foreign investors must partner with local firms and secure land approval from the respective state governments,” he said after officiating the handover of upgrading works at Surau Parit 5 Timur (Tengah), Jalan Baru, today. He highlighted Malaysia’s strategic advantage of being located near the Equator, which allows more fuel-efficient rocket launches. Beyond the launch pad, the project also envisions building a domestic earth observation satellite, a space city, and offering launch services. Developed as a public-private partnership, costs will be shared between the government and private investors, with construction expected to begin in early 2029 once approvals are finalised. “Besides drawing investments, the project will also create significant economic benefits for local communities through infrastructure development, energy projects and new job opportunities,” he said. Earlier, Azlikamil handed over five upgraded surau under the MADANI Adopted Village programme, involving a total allocation of RM315,000. The surau projects, completed between June 9 and Aug 8, include Surau Ehsaniah (Parit 2 Timur), Surau Tuan Guru Haji Bahaudin (Parit 3 Timur), Surau Haji Mohamad (Parit 3 1/2 Timur), Surau Nur Al-Iman (Parit 4 Timur), and Surau Parit 5 Timur (Tengah).

PUTRAJAYA, The MADANI government will allocate about RM11 billion under the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) fuel subsidy scheme to cover the gap between the subsidised price of RM1.99 per litre and the market price of around RM2.60 per litre. According to the Ministry of Finance (MOF), removing blanket subsidies is expected to generate annual savings of RM2.5 billion to RM4 billion. These savings will be redirected towards targeted aid programmes such as the Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR) and Rahmah Basic Contribution (SARA). BUDI95, a targeted RON95 subsidy for Malaysian citizens, has been designed to be simple, fair and beneficial to recipients. All citizens aged 16 and above with a valid driving licence will automatically be eligible for up to 300 litres of subsidised RON95 per month. MOF said the 300-litre monthly cap was set based on Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) data, which shows 99% of private vehicle drivers consume less than this amount. “This quota is sufficient, for example, to cover a worker commuting 200km daily between Seremban and Puncak Alam in a Proton Saga,” the ministry added. The relatively high cap also serves as a safeguard against misuse, such as cross-border smuggling or large-scale commercial abuse. To help users check eligibility and balances, the government will launch the portal www.budimadani.gov.my at 9 a.m. on Thursday (Sept 25). E-hailing drivers can also apply for additional quota through the portal. A helpline (1300-88-9595) will also be available from the same day. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced yesterday that the RON95 pump price will be reduced from RM2.05 to RM1.99 per litre effective Sept 30 through the targeted subsidy. He added that over 16 million Malaysians are expected to qualify for the scheme, based on Road Transport Department (JPJ) and National Registration Department (JPN) records. Meanwhile, MOF clarified in a separate statement that the government has no plans to limit RON95 purchases. “Although measures are being studied to curb subsidy misuse, BUDI95 was introduced to meet Malaysians’ daily fuel needs. A one-purchase-per-day restriction would not align with this objective,” it said.

KUALA LUMPUR, Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) has joined an international consortium to develop a new submarine cable system, aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and meeting rising demand for high-speed internet. In a statement, the national telecommunications provider said the project would enhance data capacity, improve network resilience, and support the rapid growth of digital services across Asia-Pacific. The cable system, which will span multiple landing points in the region, is designed to provide low-latency and high-reliability connections to support cloud services, content delivery, and digital applications. “By participating in this consortium, TM is reinforcing its role as a key regional connectivity hub while ensuring Malaysia remains well-positioned in the global digital economy,” the company said. Industry analysts view the investment as a strategic move to future-proof TM’s infrastructure and strengthen its competitiveness in catering to enterprises, service providers, and digital platforms. The project is expected to be completed in phases, with commercial operations targeted to commence by 2027.

KUALA LUMPUR, Clean energy solutions provider Solarvest Holdings Bhd has entered into a strategic collaboration to accelerate growth in the commercial and industrial renewable energy self-supply (CRESS) market. The partnership aims to tap into the rising demand for sustainable energy solutions among businesses seeking to lower carbon emissions and reduce dependence on conventional power sources. In a statement, Solarvest said the tie-up will combine its technical expertise in solar engineering and project delivery with its partner’s resources and network to unlock opportunities in Malaysia’s growing CRESS segment. “The collaboration reinforces our commitment to drive renewable energy adoption among corporates and industries, supporting the nation’s energy transition agenda,” Solarvest said. Industry analysts note that the CRESS programme, introduced under Malaysia’s renewable energy framework, has gained traction as more companies look to self-generate electricity for operational efficiency and long-term cost savings. The partnership is expected to contribute positively to Solarvest’s earnings outlook while enhancing its position as a key player in the renewable energy ecosystem.

KUALA LUMPUR, Solarvest Holdings Bhd has partnered with Canadian investment firm Brookfield to roll out 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy projects in Malaysia over the next three to five years. The projects will include large-scale hybrid solar plants and battery energy storage systems, according to Solarvest executive director and CEO Davis Chong Chun Shiong. He noted that groundwork, such as securing land and exploring offtakers, is already in progress. Under a joint investment framework signed on Monday, Solarvest and Brookfield CTF Asia Holdings Pte Ltd will form special-purpose vehicles for each project, with Solarvest holding 51% and Brookfield 49%. Solarvest will focus on project development and deployment, while Brookfield will secure offtakers and assist in financing. The partnership aims to participate in the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS), which allows businesses to purchase renewable energy directly from producers via the national grid. Funding will be arranged project by project through a mix of borrowings, internal funds, sukuk issuance, or cash calls, said chief financial officer Liew Kong Fatt. Solarvest group vice-president Jack Tan estimated the market cost at around RM3.5 million per megawatt of capacity. Chief investment officer Daniel Ruppert added that the tie-up with Brookfield not only provides access to capital but also to global corporate offtakers. Brookfield operates one of the world’s largest renewable and transition energy portfolios, with more than 270GW in operation and development. Trading in Solarvest shares was suspended pending the announcement. The stock last closed at RM2.72 on Sept 19, valuing the company at RM2.23 billion.

NEW YORK, Japan’s largest power producer, JERA, is close to securing a deal to acquire U.S. natural gas assets worth about US$1.7 billion, sources familiar with the matter said, underscoring Japan’s growing push into America’s energy sector. According to the sources, JERA has emerged as the leading bidder for assets owned by GEP Haynesville II — a joint venture between Blackstone-backed GeoSouthern Energy and pipeline operator Williams Companies. Banks recently invited offers, and JERA’s bid outpaced several U.S. energy companies. While advanced, the discussions remain private and a final agreement has yet to be reached. GEP could still consider other suitors or cancel the sale. If completed, the deal would mark JERA’s first direct move into U.S. shale gas production, giving the company — one of the world’s biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) importers — greater control over its supply chain. The shift comes as Japan braces for a sharp rise in electricity demand driven by data centers powering artificial intelligence development. Japan, which relies heavily on imported energy, has intensified efforts to diversify supplies since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted global markets. Washington has also encouraged Asian allies to increase U.S. energy purchases, with Tokyo recently committing US$7 billion annually under a new trade agreement. JERA, a joint venture between Tokyo Electric Power Co and Chubu Electric Power, has already stepped up its U.S. LNG involvement this year, including signing a letter of intent for potential supplies from Alaska’s proposed US$44 billion LNG export project. Japan has also engaged consultancy Wood Mackenzie to study the viability of the 1,300km Alaska pipeline and LNG plant. The Haynesville shale basin, spanning Texas and Louisiana, is among the U.S.’s top natural gas producers, prized for its proximity to Gulf Coast LNG export facilities. GEP Haynesville II currently produces about 317.5 million cubic feet per day (mcfd) and is expected to nearly double output to 614 mcfd by 2028, according to Rystad Energy. Private equity-backed GEP previously sold assets from the same basin to Southwestern Energy in 2021 for US$1.85 billion, capitalising on a surge in U.S. gas prices at the time. Neither JERA, GeoSouthern, nor Williams responded to requests for comment.

Razorpay has become the first Indian payment aggregator to integrate Apple Pay for international sales, enabling merchants to offer a seamless one-tap checkout experience to overseas customers. The service opens access to hundreds of millions of Apple device users—including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch—allowing payments to be authenticated via Face ID or Touch ID. Industry insights indicate that Apple Pay can boost conversion rates by up to 58%. Razorpay reports that early adopters on its platform are already achieving over 90% success rates for cross-border payments. The Apple Pay option is being introduced alongside Razorpay’s existing international payment methods, which include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, and international bank transfers. Initially, Apple Pay will be available for merchants using Razorpay’s standard checkout and major e-commerce platforms, with support for custom integrations planned for the near future.

KUALA LUMPUR, Knowledge Integration Services (KIS Group) has entered into a bio-liquefied natural gas (bio-LNG) supply agreement with Shell Eastern Trading (Pte) Ltd, marking a significant step towards advancing clean energy solutions in the region. Under the agreement, KIS will begin supplying bio-LNG to Shell in 2027, which will then be regasified and distributed to customers in Singapore. KIS, a global provider of biomethane and renewable energy solutions, said the partnership represents the first phase of a wider strategic framework designed to address growing demand for methane capture and renewable natural gas (RNG). KIS founder and chief executive officer K.R. Raghunath said the deal is expected to play a key role in helping Singapore’s customers meet their decarbonisation targets. “We look forward to expanding this collaboration and strengthening our partnership further,” he said. Shell Energy Asia’s general manager of new business development, Aditya Gupta, added that the alliance underscores Shell’s commitment to accelerating the energy transition. “By leveraging our combined expertise, we are helping Singapore and the wider region advance their climate goals,” he said. Bio-LNG, produced from organic waste, offers a renewable alternative to conventional LNG and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

KUCHING, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has urged a restructuring of Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) to support the state’s ambitious plans for energy growth and regional expansion. He said SEB’s board should review the state’s Electricity Ordinance — which governs the utility — to explore setting up a dedicated entity focused on boosting energy production for wider markets. “I leave it to the SEB board to study this matter, and I hope to receive a proposal paper by year-end,” Abang Johari said at SEB’s Vendors Excellence Awards 2025 Night on Friday. The premier noted that the restructuring aligns with Sarawak’s goals of achieving 10 gigawatts (GW) of energy generation capacity by 2030 and 15GW by 2035, in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s vision of positioning Sarawak as a key hub in the Asean power grid. “The prime minister has identified Sarawak as a central player in the Asean energy grid. We are already working towards this, with plans to supply power to southern Philippines once our mission to supply Sabah is completed by year-end,” he said. Abang Johari also disclosed that SEB is finalising talks to export electricity to Brunei, while efforts are underway to expand supply to Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, ultimately forming a regional energy loop. He added that this expansion will create fresh opportunities for SEB vendors to tap into Asean markets, but stressed that it will also require a larger pool of skilled talent. “This is why professionalism among vendors is critical. Once you meet SEB’s standards, the opportunities will come. It’s equally important for the vendor ecosystem to keep pace with SEB’s expectations,” he said.