In Short : Malaysia’s national utility company, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), has partnered with Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) to explore Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology for gas-fired power plants. CCS technology involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes, such as power generation, and storing it underground to prevent it from entering the atmosphere and contributing to climate change. This collaboration aims to enhance the environmental sustainability of gas-fired power generation in Malaysia by reducing its carbon footprint. The initiative reflects a growing global effort to adopt cleaner technologies and combat climate change by mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from energy-intensive industries.
In Detail : Malaysian utility firm Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has partnered with state-owned oil and gas firm Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) to explore carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology for gas-fired power plants.
The duo said in a statement on Monday that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the partnership.
According to the statement, this collaborative endeavor underscores both parties’ commitment to Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and aligns with the country’s ambition to attain net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
It is noted that NETR identifies carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) as the 6th Energy Transition Lever and outlines a clear path to carbon neutrality, with the MoU translating these ambitions into actionable initiatives.
TNB Chief Executive Officer Baharin Din emphasized that the MoU strengthens TNB and PETRONAS’s commitment to NETR.
He said that CCS stands out as one of the key energy transition levers outlined in the NETR, and this MoU will enable TNB and Petronas to synergize their expertise and align their efforts in the realm of CCS technology for gas-fired power plants.
“TNB is fully committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050 and is actively pursuing various initiatives to drive decarbonization in Malaysia. Among these efforts include the capturing and storing of carbon during power generation at gas-fired power plants,
“The MoU resonates with TNB’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda signifying our unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability through the exploration of CCS technology and aligning with Malaysia’s NETR,” he added.
Petronas Chief Executive Officer Tengku Muhammad Taufik said that the complexity of the energy transition is a systemic challenge that will take work and cooperation with other sectors to achieve the target for carbon neutrality.
According to him, the MoU bears testimony to the shared conviction of both Petronas and TNB to deliver a pathway to responsibly provide energy security while supporting the low carbon aspirations set forth in the NETR.
“With the combined experience and technical capabilities as owners of energy infrastructures, Petronas looks forward to accelerating the development and deployment of CCS technology as part of a decarbonized energy system,
“Together, we can tap the full potential of technologies at our disposal focused on the immediate need to reduce emissions. On our part, Petronas remains resolute to unlocking the solutions that will move the needle towards a more sustainable future – aligned to our net zero by 2050 target,” he added.
As Malaysia transitions to a low-carbon economy, the statement noted that natural gas will play a pivotal role in the country’s energy landscape, offering a reliable and affordable transitional base load power source.
Consequently, it said gas-fired power plants will enable greater integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, and the collaboration between TNB and Petronas on the implementation of CCS technology for the gas-fired power plants would help contribute towards the nation’s decarbonization endeavors.
TNB is a Malaysian utility company in Asia with an international presence in the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and India.
Within the renewable energy space, as of December 2022, TNB has a total gross portfolio of 2,896MW in Malaysia (including 2,536.1MW of large hydro) and 993MW across the United Kingdom, Turkiye, and India comprising mainly solar, wind, and hydro energy generation assets.
In addition to being the Malaysia’s primary electricity generation enterprise, TNB also transmits and distributes all the electricity in Malaysia.
As of May 31, 2023, the firm supplies electricity to approximately 10.7 million customers.
Petronas is a Malaysian energy group with presence in over 100 countries.
The group produces and delivers energy and solutions and its group portfolio includes cleaner conventional and renewable resources and a ready range of advanced products and adaptive solutions.