CCGT Plant To Complement Solar Intermittency, Support Malaysia’s 2050 Net-Zero Goal -- Expert

By Engku Shariful Azni Engku Ab Latif

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- The combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant is expected to play a vital role in addressing gaps in the power grid and complementing solar intermittency, as Malaysia works towards achieving its net-zero goals by 2050, an expert said.

Malaysia's Grid System Operator chief engineer, Rofidah Mohamed, said the country is blessed with abundant sunlight, enabling high solar energy output during the day and reducing reliance on conventional generators.

“However, if it suddenly rains or clouds block the sunlight, disrupting solar energy generation, who steps in to fill the gap? This is where gas from CCGT power plants proves essential, as it is flexible enough to bridge the shortfall and temporarily replace solar energy,” she said.

“In fact, with the new gas turbine plant, power output can ramp up from zero to 100 per cent within 30 minutes, making it extremely useful at night, especially when there is no sunlight,” she told Bernama when met at the CGN Energy International Co Ltd (CGNEI) Gas Turbine Power Generation Conference 2025, here today.

Rofidah expressed hope that CCGT power plants would continue to complement solar energy within the grid, as Malaysia progresses towards its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.

"We do not want to rely on coal, as it is one of the most polluting energy sources. So we will gradually phase it out. What will remain are gas, solar, and large hydro plants – for example, in Terengganu and Kelantan,” she said.

Edra Power Holdings Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with its shareholder CGNEI, hosted the conference in Kuala Lumpur today, themed "Empowering the Future through Collective Wisdom and Win-Win Collaboration".

The event brought together over 200 key stakeholders from 47 organisations across China, Malaysia and South Korea to foster industry collaboration and chart a path towards a cleaner, more inclusive energy future for ASEAN.

It also showcased CGNEI’s latest advancements in gas turbine power generation, while strengthening industry consensus, promoting technological innovation, and enhancing international partnerships and talent development in support of the green and low-carbon energy transition.

Edra chairman and president Jiang Xin said the company is well-positioned to support Malaysia’s net-zero ambitions by attracting strategic investors and global expertise.

"We are proud to host this significant event, which not only serves as a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange, but also acts as a catalyst in accelerating Malaysia’s transition to a low-carbon,  sustainable energy system, in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap,” he said in a statement.

Also present at the conference was the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing.

-- BERNAMA