In 2025, the state of electricity consumption in Malaysia shows that more than three-quarters of the electricity is generated from fossil fuels, with coal contributing to nearly 45% and gas supplying almost 32%. Low-carbon energy, which includes sources like hydropower, biofuels, and solar, makes up a little over a fifth of the total electricity generation. Among the clean energy sources, hydropower is the dominant player, accounting for approximately 18%, while biofuels and solar make up smaller fractions with close to 3% and almost 2% respectively. It is significant to note that the major reliance on fossil fuels, especially coal, contributes to environmental pollution and climate change, emphasizing the urgent need to shift towards cleaner electricity generation.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Malaysia?
Looking at the growth trend in Malaysia's electricity consumption, there seems to be a slight decline. The total electricity consumption per person in 2025 is reported to be about 5,245 kWh, which is a decline of 93 kWh from the previous recorded high in 2019 of 5,338 kWh. In contrast, there is a positive development in the realm of low-carbon electricity generation. With a latest figure of 1,172 kWh per person, there has been an increase of 19 kWh from the previous record achieved in 2024. This modest growth in clean electricity is encouraging, but the overall stagnation in electricity consumption is concerning. As the Malaysian economy develops further and demands driven by electrification and artificial intelligence grow, it becomes crucial to ensure robust growth in electricity generation, especially from low-carbon sources, to meet this future demand.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation in Malaysia, there are valuable lessons to learn from various regions and countries. Solar energy offers a key opportunity; examples like Nevada and Lebanon show solar contributing to over 30% of electricity, demonstrating its potential in sunny regions similar to Malaysia. Similarly, nuclear energy presents an excellent avenue for clean electricity growth, as evidenced by countries like France and Slovakia, where it comprises over 65% of electricity generation. By integrating measures that expand solar and nuclear capacity, Malaysia can significantly enhance its green energy portfolio. The adoption of nuclear and solar energy not only helps in reducing the carbon footprint but also ensures a stable and sustainable energy supply.
History
Historically, Malaysia's investment in low-carbon electricity, primarily through hydropower, has seen fluctuations. Starting in the early 1980s, hydropower registered growth, despite some setbacks. The 1990s saw minimal to negative growth in certain years, but by the late 2000s and into the 2010s, there were more consistent increases in hydropower output. Notably, the years 2016 and 2017 experienced substantial growth in hydropower, signaling a strong push towards enhancing clean energy. Biofuels have also contributed positively since the late 2000s, though their growth is not as pronounced as hydropower. These developments underscore a positive shift towards cleaner electricity in the past decades, though nuclear and solar energy offer promising avenues for even greater advancements in Malaysia's low-carbon electricity generation in future years.
