Malaysia boosts coal power output

SINGAPORE/KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Reuters): Malaysia is boosting coal-fired power output and importing the fuel at record levels, a Reuters analysis of data showed, taking advantage of low prices even as it pledges to increase use of gas-fuelled electricity generation in the longer term.

The Southeast Asian nation is the fifth-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas but has said it could start importing the superchilled fuel due to rising demand and dwindling gas reserves. It has progressively ramped up coal-fired power output to address surging demand driven by data centres.

Coal-fired power output in Peninsular Malaysia, which accounts for about 80% of power demand, rose nearly 9% in May and June.