In a televised briefing on the global energy crisis, he said that the main risk to the electricity sector is not supply disruption but volatility in coal and gas prices.

“When the prices of coal and gas increase, the cost to generate electricity also increases. Ultimately, this pressure can affect the cost of electricity supply to consumers if not managed carefully,” he said.

Akmal said that as of April 25, Malaysia’s power generation mix remains heavily dependent on coal at 54% and gas at 40%, leaving the system exposed to global market movements.

Coal imports in the first quarter of 2026 stood at 7.94 million metric tonnes, while the total demand for the year is projected at 35.99 million metric tonnes, he said.

“Therefore, the Energy Commission is closely monitoring coal stock levels at power plants to ensure that the minimum supply is maintained,” he said.

For gas, Akmal said that usage for power generation in early 2026 was about 1,011 million standard cubic feet per day, mostly from domestic sources in Kerteh, Terengganu.

However, gas supply is expected to fall between July and August due to maintenance work.

“In this situation, the national electrical system needs flexibility to use alternative fuel sources to ensure a continuous, stable supply,” he added.

Akmal said electricity demand is also rising, with generation costs expected to rise in May due to higher coal prices of RM21.28 per million Btu, compared to the base price of RM19.14.

However, he said the government would work to minimise the impact on households and businesses.

He reiterated that about 7.5 million domestic users, or 85% of households, using less than 600kWh, will continue to be exempted from the Automatic Fuel Adjustment charge.

“The government’s message is clear – the country’s electricity supply remains guaranteed, but generation costs need to be managed prudently because the country is still exposed to fluctuations in global fuel prices,” he added.