CCAS Impact Interview

Malaysia's Vision for CCUS and Global Collaborations

During the CCAS2024, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Noranida Zainal, the Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division at Malaysia's Ministry of Economy. Dr. Zainal shared valuable insights on Malaysia's strategies for developing Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) initiatives and the country's broader energy transition efforts.

Key Takeaways:

Malaysia's Vision for CCUS:

Dr. Zainal reiterated Malaysia's commitment to the Paris Agreement and emphasized CCUS as one of the six key levers under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and National Industrial Master Plan (NIMP). Malaysia aims to become a regional hub for CCUS, balancing economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Flagship Projects:

The Kasawari and Lang Lebah fields were highlighted as flagship projects under the NETR. Kasawari, expected to begin CO2 injection in Q2 2026, and Lang Lebah, scheduled for final investment decision (FID) by Q4 2024, showcase Malaysia’s commitment to advancing CCUS technologies with a combined capacity of around 4.8 million tons per annum (MTPA).

Challenges in CCUS Development:

Dr. Zainal acknowledged that the high cost of implementing CCS remains a significant challenge. However, she emphasized the importance of partnerships with international industry players like ExxonMobil, Shell, and Total Energies to overcome these barriers and make CCUS technologies feasible.

International Collaboration:

Malaysia is proactively engaging with international partners, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, to position itself as a CCUS gateway for the Asia-Pacific region. These collaborations will play a critical role in Malaysia’s pursuit of sustainable energy development.

Dr. Noranida Zainal

Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division

Ministry of Economy, Malaysia

“Malaysia is very blessed with significant and good-quality potential for carbon storage, with an estimated 13.3 gigatons, making us one of the largest storage capacities in Southeast Asia.

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