Report Launch and Public Forum:- Competitive Neutrality in the Malaysian Power Sector: Removing Barriers for a Greener and More Innovative Energy Industry

In Malaysia, GLCs have a dominant presence in the Energy sector. Malaysia’s existing electricity system can largely be characterised as centralised through the predominance of vertically integrated GLCs, with some variations between Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and Sabah. It thus resembles the historical regime of electricity regulation, with the introduction of elements of competition and regulatory oversight beginning in the 1990s.

The power sector has undergone significant transformations. Recently, the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) recognised the importance of enabling third-party (TPA) access to the grid to promote competition among industry players and enable energy exports, away from the traditional monopoly structure. 

The study aims to assess whether the regulatory framework in the Malaysian Energy Sector is adequate to encourage and regulate competition, so that a state of competitive neutrality can be achieved in the sector. To achieve this, the study focuses primarily on the specific characteristics of the Malaysian energy market and the nature of competition in this sector. The current policy challenges and how policy makers can align the country’s regulatory framework with the stated goal of decarbonisation are further explored as well. 

This report launch aims to provide the audience, made up of different stakeholders with a platform to discuss key insights regarding the structure of the Malaysian energy market and the challenges faced in achieving a state of competitive neutrality. Our panel of discussants represent varied backgrounds and we hope that this diversity enables us to better understand the avenues that can be explored to ensure that the state of competitive neutrality is achieved in the long term in Malaysia.

Moderator:

Dr Juita Mohamad

Director of Research
IDEAS Malaysia

Panellists:

Assoc Prof Dr Norasikin Ahmad Ludin 
Deputy Director
Solar Energy Institute (SERI)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

Dr Renato Lima de Oliveira 
Assistant Professor of Business and Society
Asia School of Business

Rosman Hamzah 
Former Secretary General
Malaysian Gas Association