THE government is conducting comprehensive assessments on alternative low-carbon energy sources, including nuclear power, biomass, biogas and geothermal, as the Government seeks to strengthen energy security and reduce the country’s vulnerability to external energy disruptions.
Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad told the Dewan Rakyat today that the government remained committed to accelerating the transition towards a cleaner, more resilient and sustainable energy system while maintaining the energy trilemma of supply security, affordability and environmental sustainability.
Responding to Rodziah Ismail [Ampang], Abdul Rahman said its Malaysia Programme Office for Power Electricity Reform (MyPOWER) Corporation, acting as the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation (NEPIO), was carrying out a comprehensive and phased assessment on the potential development of a nuclear energy programme for long-term electricity generation.
He stressed that any decision to construct a nuclear power plant would only be considered after all necessary requirements had been fulfilled and assessments confirmed that the technology was safe, viable, sustainable and beneficial to Malaysia.
“Any decision regarding the construction of a nuclear power plant will only be considered once all related prerequisites have been fulfilled and the evaluation results show that the technology is safe, feasible, sustainable and beneficial to the country,” the Deputy Minister said.
Beyond nuclear energy, PETRA said the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia had identified potential electricity generation capacity of 51.88 megawatts from palm oil mill-based renewable energy resources that could be developed in Peninsular Malaysia.
SEDA Malaysia, in collaboration with the Minerals and Geoscience Department of Malaysia (JMG), is also assessing geothermal resources in Ulu Slim, Perak.
However, the ministry said exploratory drilling would be required to verify the actual capacity and determine the feasibility of developing geothermal resources at the site.
PETRA said Malaysia would continue to diversify its low-carbon energy sources rather than relying on a single technology, ensuring a more secure electricity supply while maintaining competitive costs.
“The Government will continue efforts to diversify alternative low-carbon energy sources and will not be dependent on only one source or technology to ensure energy security with competitive pricing,” he said.
At present, the Government will prioritise the expansion and utilisation of renewable energy sources that have already demonstrated effectiveness and commercial viability, including solar photovoltaic (PV), biomass, biogas and hydropower.
The ministry said these resources would remain central to Malaysia’s energy transition strategy as the country works towards achieving a cleaner and more resilient power sector. - July 15, 2026
