THE Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) announced the appointment of Datuk Seri Asri bin Hamidin @ Hamidon as the new Chairman of the Energy Commission, effective from 1 January 2026 for a one-year term.
PETRA extended its highest congratulations to Datuk Seri Asri on the appointment.
The appointment, made under Section 5 of the Energy Commission Act 2001 [Act 610], was endorsed with the consent of the Prime Minister, who oversees matters related to gas supply.
Asri, 59, holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Hiroshima, Japan, and a Master’s in Economics from the University of Malaya.
He brings 31 years of public service experience, beginning as an Assistant Director in the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department.
PETRA also expressed gratitude to Tan Sri Shamsul Azri bin Abu Bakar for his contributions as the outgoing Chairman.
The announcement coincides with the launch of the Solar Accelerated Transition Action Programme (Solar ATAP), designed to harness building rooftops for renewable solar energy generation.
The programme, regulated by the Energy Commission, will accept applications via the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia website from 1 January 2026, with programme guidelines available on the Energy Commission’s website from 31 December 2025.
PETRA outlined key enhancements to the Solar ATAP scheme following consultation with stakeholders.
There will be no fixed quota for solar installations, though limits may be imposed if uncontrolled uptake threatens the national grid.
The programme retains the Net Energy Metering (NEM) principle, allowing excess energy to be sold back to the grid as offsets. Energy offset rates will reflect market electricity prices for non-domestic users and applicable tariffs for domestic households.
Solar system installations may meet up to 100% of maximum demand, with single-phase domestic users allowed up to 5kW and three-phase households increased from 12.5kW to 15kW.
Asri emphasised that Solar ATAP will provide users with greater options to optimise rooftop solar generation while supporting Malaysia’s clean energy expansion and national carbon reduction targets.
PETRA anticipates the programme will be a strategic catalyst to strengthen the country’s energy landscape over the long term, contributing to Malaysia’s goal of achieving 70% renewable energy capacity in electricity supply by 2050.
“This initiative not only advances national sustainability but also reflects Malaysia’s commitment to fulfilling responsibilities to current and future generations, in line with the core values of Malaysia MADANI,” PETRA said. - December 19, 2025
