TNB pledges one-year grid connection for approved data centres
The utility says demand forecasting, capacity planning and targeted infrastructure development are needed to prepare Malaysia’s electricity network for rising demand.
Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has committed to providing grid connections for data centres within one year of approval by a ministry-chaired committee, according to its chief distribution network officer Ahmad Sazree Abd Aziz.
Speaking at the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2026, Ahmad Sazree said the utility faced growing electricity needs from data centres, economic growth and residential and commercial users. TNB had to meet that demand while maintaining network reliability and resilience, he said.
He identified demand forecasting, planning for network capacity and targeted infrastructure development as three measures needed to prepare the system. Coordinating demand and supply planning would also help transmission and distribution networks accommodate data centre demand and renewable energy integration.
Ahmad Sazree said distribution networks needed modernisation and digitalisation to support renewable energy connections. He also called for demand forecasts, infrastructure plans and investment priorities to be aligned so that development benefited the overall electricity system.
On regional connectivity, he said the Asean Power Grid (APG) supported electricity security, but Malaysia’s ability to benefit depended on the strength of its domestic transmission and distribution networks.
