Malaysia utility TNB creates Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer role

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Malaysia’s top electric utility, has named Datuk Muhamad Nazri Pazil as Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer – a newly created role.  

Nazri Pazil joined TNB Genco – TNB’s power generation subsidiary, running a portfolio of conventional, hydro and renewable energy – in 2023, as Managing Director. Before that, he held a series of director roles in electricity and power generation. 

Leo Pui Yong, TNB’s Chief Sustainability Officer since 2023, remains at the firm.

New leadership roles split execution and long-term planning

Alongside the new Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer TNB has also appointed Mahathir Nor Ismail as its senior Chief Network Officer – another new role. Nor Ismail will oversee execution and delivery responsibilities, while Nazri Pazil will be tasked with consolidating the strategy and long-term planning functions under one mandate.

The two new leadership positions are meant to support governance and transition planning. “By clearly delineating leadership accountability between execution and strategy, Tenaga is reinforcing good governance practices, improving coordination across the organisation and strengthening alignment between long-term planning and day-to-day operations.

“The structure also supports a more robust succession management process by developing deep leadership capability and ensuring continuity at critical leadership levels,” TNB explained.

Sustainability in Malaysia’s power system

In 2023, Malaysia’s electricity grid was powered primarily by fossil fuels, especially coal (45%) and natural gas (35%). Clean energy sources make up less than 20% of electricity generation, led by hydropower (16.5%) and solar (1.8%).

TNB is working towards a goal (not validated by the Science Based Targets initiative) to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 – which includes eliminating coal for its power mix by the same date. This is aligned with Malaysia’s national net zero goal.

In the mid term (2035), TNB is targeting a 35% reduction in Scope 1 emissions intensity, from a 2020 baseline.