AI Crucial In Helping Businesses Meet Energy Efficiency Targets

By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 (Bernama) -- Artificial intelligence (AI) will be crucial in helping Malaysian businesses meet energy efficiency targets and transition towards a low-carbon future, particularly under the newly-enforced Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA).

Pantas chief operating officer and co-founder Nurul Syaheedah Jes Izman said AI-based tools are necessary to overcome rising operational costs and data chaos in sustainability reporting, especially as businesses prepare to meet tightening environmental, social and governance (ESG) and carbon disclosure requirements.

She said the EECA serves as a timely wake-up call for companies to rethink their energy use not just in buildings but across operations.

“To me, the EECA is like having a serious financial advisor telling you to look at where you are wasting money.

“Energy audits are step one -- they shed light on leakages and inefficiencies like old machinery or air conditioning systems running unnecessarily overnight,” she told Bernama after appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s ‘The Nation’ programme titled Malaysia’s Role in the Green Transition.

Pantas is an AI platform for managing carbon emissions and environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting.

Nurul Syaheedah noted that while large corporations are mandated to appoint registered energy managers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can begin with simple measures such as switching to light-emitting diode (LED) lighting or cultivating energy-saving habits.

However, cost remains a key barrier, Nurul Syaheedah added.

“Switching to an energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system for a medium-sized mall could cost up to RM16 million upfront and this is a major deterrent.

“To address this, Pantas recently introduced an energy AI platform that integrates with existing building management systems,” she said.

She said the tool leverages predictive optimisation to cut HVAC usage based on building occupancy and usage patterns reducing energy consumption by up to 40 per cent.

Data Management for ESG Reporting

Earlier in the programme, Nurul Syaheedah said the importance of proper data management for ESG reporting goes beyond operational savings.

“Before you can report, you must first measure. But for large companies operating across 30 countries and hundreds of business units, that means dealing with millions of fragmented data points.

She said many companies still rely on manual inputs and even handwritten fuel logs, but with the right technology, automation can centralise data collection and enhance accuracy.

“By 2027, companies in Malaysia will need third-party assurance for ESG data, so getting the right system in place now is crucial,” she said.

Talking on the ASEAN-level ambitions, she welcomed Malaysia’s leadership in green initiatives like the ASEAN Power Grid and Bank Negara’s Greening Value Chain (GVC) programme, which Pantas is a key partner of.

“The GVC has shown the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration involving government, financial institutions, and private players working together.

“If we do not look at this seriously and have everyone on board in this programme, we will be at risk of being cut off from the global supply chain due to non-compliance with ESG regulations,” she warned.

Looking ahead, Nurul Syaheedah said Pantas aims to become the operating system for businesses transitioning to net-zero carbon.

“Our goal is to help large companies decarbonise and create measurable impact. As Malaysia chairs ASEAN this year, we have a real opportunity to lead the region in climate tech innovation,” she added.

--- BERNAMA