Energy & Technology

KUALA LUMPUR : CelcomDigi Berhad has formalised a strategic partnership with Bridge Alliance aimed at reinforcing digital financial security and accelerating the adoption of API-as-a-Service solutions. This collaboration supports national efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s digital economy and foster innovation across industries. The partnership was cemented through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), marking CelcomDigi’s formal entry into the Bridge Alliance API Exchange (BAEx) partner programme. Through this initiative, CelcomDigi will expand access to its suite of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) via the BAEx open platform, enabling global developers and enterprises to more easily build secure digital services without the need for complex telecommunications infrastructure. APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, serve as a set of protocols that allow software systems to communicate and function together seamlessly. CelcomDigi Chief Executive Officer Datuk Idham Nawawi said the initiative to provide open access to secure, interoperable telecom APIs is a key enabler of Malaysia’s digital financial ecosystem. “This move empowers the sector to deliver a smoother, smarter and more reliable user experience,” he said. Bridge Alliance CEO Ong Geok Chwee added that the collaboration not only broadens market access but also creates new business opportunities via a harmonised API network. “This will drive digital transformation across sectors including banking, fintech, e-commerce and tourism, supported by our ecosystem of partners and developers,” Ong noted. Bridge Alliance comprises leading telecommunications operators across the Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Europe, offering extensive regional and global connectivity. BAEx, an industry-driven platform, enables telcos to implement CAMARA-based APIs using a standardised framework aligned with GSMA’s Open Gateway specifications, further advancing interoperability and innovation across the digital services landscape. -Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR : Global energy demand is projected to nearly double by 2050, driven by population growth, industrialisation and digital expansion, according to PETRONAS President and Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz. Addressing the opening of Energy Asia 2025, he called for collective, urgent, and coordinated action across the energy ecosystem to ensure a just and equitable transition that leaves no community behind. Tengku Muhammad Taufik warned of a “polycrisis” confronting the global energy sector, citing escalating geopolitical tensions, including conflict near the Strait of Hormuz – which channels 20% of global oil supply – along with climate pressures and disruptive technological advances. These factors, he said, are reshaping global energy dynamics, introducing heightened price volatility and systemic uncertainty. Emphasising that energy security and climate action must be approached as complementary rather than competing agendas, he noted that the Asia-Pacific region, home to 4.8 billion people, will account for half of global energy demand by 2050. To meet this rising demand while aligning with decarbonisation goals, he highlighted the need for a projected US$88.7 trillion in energy investment through to 2050. The sharp rise in energy consumption by data centres was also underscored, with global demand expected to more than double from 415 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2024 to 945TWh by 2030, representing over 20% of total growth in energy demand during that period. Despite fossil fuels still comprising more than 80% of Asia’s energy mix, Tengku Muhammad Taufik said the region is well-positioned to scale up renewable capacity and decarbonisation technologies such as solar, wind, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and cleaner forms of natural gas. He identified three strategic imperatives to address the region’s energy challenge: diversification of the energy mix, increased investment, and strengthened regional cooperation. He urged governments and industry players to develop a balanced portfolio that includes lower-emissions fossil fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, biofuels, liquefied natural gas (LNG) from increasingly challenging environments, low- or zero-carbon hydrogen, and expanded renewables. At the same time, scaling investment will be crucial to ensure energy remains both available and affordable. Fostering regional collaboration, he said, will be essential to deliver a shared energy future. Saudi Aramco President and CEO Amin H Nasser echoed these concerns, stating that the global energy transition has so far been “oversold and under-delivered”, particularly in Asia. He challenged the assumption that the shift to renewables would be swift and effortless, noting that oil demand still exceeds 100 million barrels per day with no sign of abating. Nasser advocated for a pragmatic approach, acknowledging the central role of fossil fuels in the current energy mix while calling for improvements to reduce their emissions footprint. Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia Chairman and CEO Datuk Mohd Faiz Abdullah also stressed the importance of cooperation across ASEAN, given the region’s economic and technological diversity. He identified key barriers to a fair transition, including the need for skilled labour, enhanced financial support for less developed economies and reduction of regional imbalances. Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Secretary-General Haitham Al Ghais highlighted the continued relevance of oil, estimating that the sector will require US$17.4 trillion in investment through 2050. He cautioned that efforts to mitigate climate change must not compromise energy security or affordability.

Solarvest Holdings Bhd has announced its entry into Brunei’s clean energy sector by securing the country’s largest national solar development to date. The contract was awarded through its wholly owned subsidiary, Atlantic Blue Sdn Bhd, under a joint venture with Serikandi Oilfield Services Sdn Bhd and Khazanah Satu Sdn Bhd. The joint venture entity, Seri Suria Power (B) Sdn Bhd, will spearhead the initiative. According to a corporate statement, the project is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2025 and will see the development of a 30MW solar photovoltaic power plant. The facility will be located on a 33.29-hectare remediated landfill site in Kampong Belimbing, Brunei. The undertaking will position the new solar plant as the largest of its kind in the nation upon its targeted completion by the end of 2026. The solar installation is projected to generate an estimated 64,473,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This renewable output is expected to offset approximately 645,000 million British Thermal Units (BTUs) of natural gas consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 92 million tonnes. Solarvest, a regional developer specialising in clean energy infrastructure, noted that this project underscores its strategic push into new markets and reinforces its commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions across Southeast Asia. -The Star

Sarawak is set to strengthen its renewable energy portfolio with the development of a large-scale floating solar farm at the Bakun hydroelectric dam reservoir, scheduled for commissioning by 2027. The initial phase of the project is projected to deliver up to 300 megawatts (MW) of solar power, with the potential to scale up to 1,000MW. Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili confirmed that the first phase of development is targeted for completion within the next 18 to 24 months. This follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in Shanghai last week at the International Solar Photovoltaic and Smart Energy Conference. The MoU, involving the Sarawak Utility and Telecommunication Ministry, China Three Gorges International Ltd (CTGI), and Shanghai Electric Power T&D Group Co Ltd, sets a framework for joint feasibility studies and development planning. The Bakun site, which features a vast water surface, is seen as highly suitable for floating solar infrastructure. Datuk Sharbini noted that a successful implementation could see the Bakun installation become the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. “Should the initial 300MW phase be delivered successfully, we envisage expanding its capacity over the coming years, positioning Sarawak as a leader in floating solar generation in the region,” he said. Commissioned in 2011, the 2,400MW Bakun power plant on the upper Rajang River is Southeast Asia’s largest and tallest hydroelectric facility, featuring a 695 sq km reservoir. SEB acquired the plant from Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd for RM2.5 billion in 2017 and it currently supplies firm energy of 1,771MW, depending on grid demand. Energy produced from the Bakun facility supports energy-intensive industries such as aluminium and ferroalloy smelting in the Samalaju Industrial Park, under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE). SEB also owns the 944MW Murum and 108MW Batang Ai hydro plants and is constructing the 1,285MW Baleh hydroelectric dam. All three hydro plants are situated upstream of Belaga town in the Kapit Division. In addition to the Bakun project, Sarawak is exploring another large-scale floating solar installation at the Murum dam reservoir. This initiative is being pursued in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and Gentari, under a joint study agreement signed in November 2024. The study, expected to run for a year, aims to evaluate the feasibility of developing up to 1,000MW of solar generation capacity. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg reaffirmed the state’s commitment to clean energy development, stating that SEB is targeting a solar generation capacity of 1,500MW by 2030. He also highlighted that Sarawak’s first floating solar project, a 50MW hybrid installation at Batang Ai, became operational in late 2023 and serves as Malaysia’s first hydro-solar integration. Building on this foundation, SEB is actively exploring additional large-scale floating solar opportunities in collaboration with regional and international partners as well as independent power producers. In a keynote address delivered on his behalf at the Shanghai conference by Deputy Minister for Utility (Sarawak Energy and Petros) Datuk Ibrahim Baki, who also chairs SEB, the Premier underscored Sarawak’s broader solar agenda. This includes rural solar-hybrid electrification, hydrogen-integrated solar systems, and the net energy metering scheme for residential adoption. SEB’s long-term targets include generating 10 gigawatts (GW) of energy by 2030 and expanding this to 15GW by 2035, reinforcing Sarawak’s aspiration to become a regional hub for renewable energy. With current generation capacity standing at 5,898MW—over 60% of which is hydropower—Sarawak also relies on indigenous thermal sources to ensure energy reliability. The Premier noted that Sarawak is positioning itself as ASEAN’s renewable energy and battery powerhouse, with plans to export energy to neighbouring regions. The successful cross-border energy export to West Kalimantan in 2016 laid the groundwork for future interconnections with Sabah, Brunei Darussalam, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore via subsea cable infrastructure. He also invited global stakeholders to participate in the Sarawak Energy Renewable Energy and Sustainability Forum, which will take place in Kuching on 3 and 4 September 2025. -The Star