KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 27 -- The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (Petra) is projecting data centre electricity demand to reach 12.9GW by 2030, and rising to 20.9GW by 2040.

Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said that with this in mind, the Electricity Supply and Tariff Development, Implementation and Committee (JPPPET) has approved the Peninsular Generation Development Plan (Power Development Plan - PDP) projection for 2024 to 2050, encompassing the development of new gas-based generation capacity and an increase in renewable energy to meet demand.

"In addition, several existing power plants have been identified for phased operational extensions from 2025 to 2029, with additional new generation capacity in 2026 and 2027...