A team from the Centre for Net-Zero Technology (CNZT), Monash University Malaysia, led by Dr Joshua Soo, CNZT Research Fellow, has successfully secured a research grant to support the energy transition of Malaysia’s Oil and Gas Services and Equipment (OGSE) sector.

In partnership with the Malaysian Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the project, titled “Strengthening OGSE Participation in Malaysia’s Energy Transition: Integrating ASEAN Power Grid (APG) Infrastructure and Blue Renewable Energy (Blue RE) Opportunities,” is funded by the Ministry of Economy, Malaysia, under the 2026 Short-Term Research Grant (Kajian Jangka Pendek 2026).

The project brings together complementary expertise from Monash University Malaysia, UKM and MPRC to identify emerging opportunities for Malaysian OGSE companies to participate in APG infrastructure and Blue RE projects. Working closely with MPRC, the research team will develop evidence-based policy recommendations on APG integration and Blue RE technologies to support targeted industry facilitation, strengthen strategic partnerships and inform future industry development initiatives.

The study is particularly timely as Malaysia advances major national development and energy-transition priorities under the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (RMK-13), the National OGSE Industry Blueprint 2021–2030, and the upcoming Malaysia Blue Economy Blueprint.

Dr Joshua Soo will co-lead the project with Professor Norasikin binti Ahmad Ludin from UKM’s Solar Energy Research Institute, while Dr Madana Leela Nallappan from MPRC will join the consortium as a governmental advisory member. Dr Joshua will also be supported by fellow CNZT members Dr Yaw Chong Siang, Dr Ng Wen Cai, Dr Sridhar Sri, Dr Yong Khai Jie and Professor Chong Meng Nan.

Importantly, this award marks the second successive research grant secured by CNZT from the Ministry of Economy, Malaysia, following the Centre’s successful Ministry-funded project in 2025 led by Dr Ng Wen Cai.

These successive funding successes also demonstrate CNZT’s commitment to developing research leadership and capability across the Centre. Under the guidance and mentorship of Professor Chong Meng Nan, Director of CNZT, CNZT members are encouraged and supported to take on greater leadership roles in externally funded projects, build multidisciplinary partnerships, engage directly with government and industry stakeholders, and translate research expertise into meaningful policy, industry and societal impact.

The funding further reflects the growing importance of close collaboration between academia, industry and policymakers in shaping Malaysia’s response to emerging priorities in energy transition, energy security and regional economic development.

Congratulations to Dr Joshua Soo and all collaborators involved in this successful proposal. We look forward to the impactful research, industry insights and policy recommendations that will emerge from this important study.

Contact: Joshua Soo

Email: joshua.soo@monash.edu