Enlit Asia 2024: Collaboration, cutting-edge innovation lead the charge to decarbonise Southeast Asia

The end-to-end power and energy forum in Kuala Lumpur wraps up with impactful discussions centred on grid modernisation, renewable integration, and ASEAN’s shared grid ahead of Enlit Asia 2025 in Bangkok.

Enlit Asia 2024 concluded its 3-day conference at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur, on Thursday. The conference issued a decisive call for ASEAN to unite, embrace digitalisation and drive innovation to accelerate the region’s energy transition agenda.

Under its theme of “Enabling a Multidimensional Energy Transition in ASEAN” which took inspiration from Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), the conference became a stimulating ground for discourse, steering conversations towards actionable strategies through panel discussions, presentations, workshops and interactive exhibitions.

The region’s resounding commitment to shift away from coal reverberated throughout the conference and exhibition halls as industry players across the power and energy supply chain demonstrated innovative climate action strategies and solutions to enable a more comprehensive renewable integration.

Crucial conversations such as the digitalisation of grids, data-driven energy management systems, and sustainable solutions like hydrogen, energy storage, green mobility, and nuclear energy further revealed the critical role of green financing and policy harmonisation for ASEAN.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) supported the summit, alongside official utility partner Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and supporting agencies Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST) and the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA).

YB Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) of Malaysia, emphasised the nation’s progress in its energy transition efforts during his ministerial address. “As of June 2024, we achieved 5.82 per cent of electricity savings equivalent to 8,769 giga watt hours (GWh) amounting to RM2.21 billion. As we target to reduce electricity demand growth by 8 per cent with a total reduction of 38 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent of GHG emissions, this is progress.”

PETRA commended the organiser’s steadfast commitment to coordinating Enlit Asia 2024 here in Malaysia, “I am confident that the discussions, partnerships, and insights shared at Enlit Asia 2024 will further strengthen the future of energy in the ASEAN region, as well as inspire continued progress and collaboration. We hope to see Enlit Asia return soon, continuing its role as a catalyst for innovation and unity in our journey towards a more sustainable energy landscape,” he continued, emphasising the platform’s contribution in igniting conversations towards shaping the industry’s growth.

Malaysia’s leading utility, TNB, reaffirmed its commitment and support towards achieving the country’s net zero emissions goal by 2050 as well as furthering the region’s broader aspirations.

ASEAN power leaders echoed similar promises in advancing the region’s energy transition. Delegates from Indonesia’s PT PLN (Persero), Singapore’s SP group, Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation (EVNHCMC), the Philippines’s MERALCO, Thailand’s EGAT, among many others, engaged in strategy discussions and showcased their net-zero dedications at Enlit Asia 2024. To celebrate leadership and innovation across the energy sector, Enlit Asia’s Power and Energy Awards were presented by Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hassim, Secretary General of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), recognising exemplary organisations and individuals for their outstanding contributions to the energy sector. TNB received accolades in the ‘Transmission and Distribution Networks’ and ‘Energy Storage’ categories for its ‘Advancing Metering Infrastructure’ and ‘Community Energy Storage Systems (CESS)’ projects respectively. Malakoff Corporation Berhad was also honoured as the ‘Independent Power Producer of the Year’ for its ‘Biomass Co-Firing’ project.

Other ASEAN counterparts, such as MERALCO of the Philippines, were awarded ‘Power Utility of the Year,’ Indonesia’s PT Pertamina (Persero) received the ‘ASEAN Electrification Project of the Year’ award for its ‘Desa Energi Berdikari Project’, while Vietnam’s EVNHCMC was recognised for its ‘Smart Grid’ technology.

Simon Hoare, Director of Energy Profile for Enlit Asia, reflected on the success of the event and the future it intended for ASEAN’s energy landscape. “What sets Enlit Asia apart is our ability to bring together key players across the entire power and energy supply chain, fostering a truly integrated approach to Malaysia’s and the region’s evolving energy sector. We have witnessed innumerable impactful conversations and crucial collaborations transpiring across the 3-day summit,” he noted.

Enlit Asia attracted over 12,000 attendees from more than 50 countries, including approximately 3,000 utilities and independent power producers (IPP).

The three-day event also featured an extensive participation of 400 speakers and 350 exhibitors, showcasing the region’s dedication to tackling climate change through partnerships, innovations, and discussions across sectors.

As the summit sets in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok prepares to host the 2025 edition of Enlit Asia. The torch was passed, and with it, the commitment to illuminate the future of energy transition across the ASEAN region remains strong.