Malaysian Rail Electrification Project Completed Ahead of Schedule
PLN Group has again earned recognition for its performance on the global stage. Subholding PLN Nusantara Power (PLN NP), through its subsidiary PLN Nusantara Power Construction (PLN NPC), has completed two electrification works for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) in Malaysia ahead of schedule.
The two locations are Feeder Station (FS) 01 in Tunjung, Kelantan, completed 15 days earlier than planned, and FS 09 in Jambu Rias, Pahang, which also posted a significant acceleration by finishing about one month ahead of target. The early completion was praised by Tenaga Switchgear (TSG) as the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) as the network owner.
Head of the Project Management Office at TNB, Azreen Bin Othman, expressed appreciation for the successful connection from the Main Incoming Substation (Gardu Induk) at Tunjung to FS 01 and FS 09 as a crucial component of the ECRL electrification system.
“Earlier than the target set. This is a very proud achievement. We see PLN demonstrating commitment and dedication to ensure the project is completed rapidly without compromising on quality,” he said.
The ECRL is a double-track electric railway project spanning 665 kilometres that connects Port Klang in Selangor to Kota Bharu in Kelantan. The project is fully electric for passenger and cargo operations and is projected to reduce carbon emissions by up to one million tonnes of CO₂ per year when it becomes operational in 2027.
Azreen added that they hope this performance can continue on subsequent projects at the Seberang Jerteh and Gombak feeder stations.
“We are very satisfied with the results and hope this extraordinary achievement can continue on future projects at Seberang Jerteh and Gombak,” he added.
PLN’s success in this project also demonstrates Indonesia’s tangible contribution to supporting low-carbon transport infrastructure in the Southeast Asian region.
PLN (Persero) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Darmawan Prasodjo, emphasised that this achievement is a tangible manifestation of PLN’s transformation and global expansion.
“This success provides a strategic stepping stone for PLN Group to continue expanding international business. With the technical competence and experience in electricity that we possess, we are confident of delivering projects to international standards while upholding the nation’s name on the world stage,” he said.
In this project, PLN Group participated in the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning (EPCC) consortium. PLN NP was involved in procuring main equipment, while PLN NPC also procured supporting equipment and carried out construction as well as commissioning.
Technically, PLN Group worked on four of the total ten Feeder Stations in the ECRL project, namely FS1, FS2, FS9, and FS10. The project began in June 2024 and is targeted for full completion by June 2026.
PLN Nusantara Power Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ruly Firmansyah, said completing ahead of schedule demonstrates the company’s capability in cross-border strategic projects. “This shows that Indonesian companies can compete and be trusted in cross-border strategic projects. It is not only a business achievement but a national pride,” he said.
PLN Nusantara Power Construction CEO, Djarot Hutabri, explained that PLN NPC has more than 20 years of experience in generation and transmission. That experience underpins the work on the ECRL electrification in Malaysia. He added that PLN NPC is ready to undertake design and build for the ECRL electrification of Feeder Stations, including the construction of a 132 kV Switching Station, installation of Overhead Transmission Line (OHL) and a 3-kilometre underground cable, among other supporting works to ensure the project is completed on time and to high standards.
“This achievement reflects the capability, professionalism, and commitment of all PLN NPC personnel in delivering reliable, timely, and world-class electrical construction services. The appreciation from TSG and TNB confirms that we can add value to our strategic partners,” he concluded.