Power networks/Malaysia
| Malaysia (MY) | |
|---|---|
 .svg) | |
| References | |
| OpenStreetMap | 2108121 2108121 |
| Wikidata | Q833 |
| Wikipédia | Malaysia |
| Country characteristics | |
| Continent | Asia |
| Population | 32,447,385 |
| Area | 330,803 km2 |
| GDP | 406.3 B$ |
| Language(s) | Malay |
| Electrical Network | |
| Generation capacity | 37,482 MW (OSM) |
| Power line length | 15,490 km (OSM) |
| Frequency | 50 Hz |
| Transmission lines voltages (kV) | 500 kV, 275 kV, 132 kV |
| Data from Wikidata (last update 2025-09-13) and OpenInfraMap (last update 2025-09-13) | |
This page aims to coordinate the efforts of mapping power infrastructure in Malaysia. It is intended to be a guide for mapping power lines from aerial or street-level imagery and on-the-ground survey.
A map of all existing power lines in Malaysia can be found at Open Infrastructure Map
Background
Malaysia's power grids, collectively called the National Grid (Malay: Grid Nasional), for geographic reasons, is divided into two large wide-area grids: one in Peninsular Malaysia and one in East Malaysia (i.e. Sabah and Sarawak). There are no connection between the two grids, but there are plans to connect the two through a submarine HVDC cable, which connects to Bakun Dam in Sarawak. The Peninsular power grid connects to the Thai and Singaporean grids, while the Eastern Malaysia grid connects with the Indonesian grid in Kalimantan.
Malaysia's power sector is dominated by state-owned electricity companies. Tenaga Nasional (TNB) operates the Peninsular transmission and distribution networks, whilst Sabah Electricity (SESB) and Sarawak Energy operates the East Malaysia networks in Sabah and Sarawak, respectively.
Network details
Power lines, voltages and frequency
Power lines in Malaysia usually operate at these voltages. Voltages are generally the same as those used in the United Kingdom, except for 500 kV bulk transmission (400 kV in the UK). Transmission lines usually have two circuits, with four used in more denser parts of the country (e.g. Klang Valley). The 275 and 500 kV networks collectively form the National Grid (Grid Nasional), as like in the UK, with the 132 kV usually feeding distribution networks. Some lines are buried underground. AC frequency across the country is 50 Hz.
| Network | Voltage | Comments | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission | 500000 | Large lattice single-circuit pylons | |
| Transmission | 275000 | Large lattice double- or quadruple-circuit pylons. Some lines may also carry a 132 kV line in the same towers with the 275 kV lines on top. | |
| Transmission | 132000 | Double-circuit lattice pylons or steel pole. Some older lines with single-circuit pylon | |
| Distribution | 33000 | Primarily in the Klang Valley. | Single power poles, but now usually buried cable. |
| Distribution | 11000 | Bundled cable (TNB) or bare conductors (SESB and Sarawak Energy) on power poles, or buried cable. |
Other voltages are 300 kV (HVDC line connecting with the Thai grid), 25 kV (railway electrification voltage by KTM), and 750 V DC (LRT and MRT lines in the Klang Valley).
Substations
Substations are tagged as power=substation. substation=* depends on the primary voltage and output voltages. If it has maximum voltage of 500 or 275 kV, it's likely to be substation=transmission. Substation type for 132 and 33 kV substations will generally be substation=distribution.
Names of substations are fairly standard: most substations should have names beginning with Pencawang Masuk Utama ("main incoming substation" in Malay, also abbreviated to PMU). 500 kV substations, however, may use Pencawang Grid ("grid substation" in Malay) instead. The voltages of the substation are often added to the name of the substation. Smaller substations downstepping 11 kV to 240/415 V and housed inside buildings (substation=minor_distribution, generally those by TNB and in areas of other large cities where most power lines have been buried underground) have names beginning with Pencawang Elektrik (electrical substations), and usually named after the village or locality served.
Operators
| Operator | Network | Wikidata | Website | Wikipedia | Operating area | Information | Label | Taginfo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenaga Nasional Berhad | Transmission/Distribution | Q1584297 WhatLinksHere |
https://www.tnb.com.my | Tenaga Nasional | Peninsular Malaysia | operator=Tenaga Nasionaloperator:wikidata=Q1584297
|
operator=Tenaga Nasional | |
| Sarawak Energy | Transmission/Distribution | Q7659479 WhatLinksHere |
https://www.sarawakenergy.com | Sarawak Energy | Sarawak | operator=Sarawak Energyoperator:wikidata=Q7659479
|
operator=Sarawak Energy | |
| Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd. | Transmission/Distribution | Q7420551 WhatLinksHere |
https://www.sesb.com.my | Sabah Electricity | Sabah | operator=Sabah Electricityoperator:wikidata=Q7420551
|
operator=Sabah Electricity |
Data sources
- Sabah Electricity Roadmap and Master Plan 2040
- Sarawak Energy Power Generation and Transmission Network|
Network statistics
Power lines
| Power Lines Voltage | Length |
|---|---|
| < 10 kV | 0 km |
| 10 kV - 25 kV | 4 km |
| 25 kV - 52 kV | 131 km |
| 52 kV - 132 kV | 18 km |
| 132 kV - 220 kV | 6,902 km |
| 220 kV - 330 kV | 6,837 km |
| 330 kV - 550 kV | 1,079 km |
| > 550 kV | 0 km |
| No voltage tagged | 516 km |
| Total | 15,490 km |