The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), successfully organised the 2nd Workshop on Integrated Urban-Energy Planning and Modelling (IUEPM) in Putrajaya, Malaysia, following the success of the inaugural workshop held in Jakarta in 2024. 

Photo 1. Group session photo in the 2nd IUEPM Workshop. 

Held in person, the workshop convened representatives from ASEAN Member States (AMS), alongside experts from academia, government, and international organisations. The two-day event aimed to strengthen technical capacity in urban-energy modelling tools, share replicable case studies, and identify enabling policies and institutional frameworks to support integrated and sustainable urban development. It also served as a platform to deepen regional collaboration and align urban planning with ASEAN’s energy transition and climate goals. 

Photo 2. Dr. Sharmila Bernau (left), Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi (right) delivering an opening remark at the workshop. 

The opening session featured welcoming remarks from Dr. Sharmila Bernau, Deputy High Commissioner of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of the Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) Department at ACE, representing Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE. 

Photo 3. Rika Safrina delivering a scene-setting presentation on Urban-Energy Integration in ASEAN. 

To set the scene, Rika Safrina, Senior Analyst of MPP at ACE, delivered a presentation on “Urban-Energy Integration in ASEAN.” The presentation highlighted digitalisation as a key enabler of efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in ASEAN’s urban-energy systems. She highlighted common challenges such as data gaps, financial constraints, and institutional fragmentation that call for harmonised policies, targeted investments, and capacity-building across ASEAN cities. 

Photo 4. Representatives from AMS presenting the current status of urban energy planning in their respective countries. 

The first session featured country presentations from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Timor Leste, and Vietnam. Every country was allowed to showcase the current status of urban energy planning in their respective cities. Delegates outlined the use of modelling tools, integration of energy into transport and building sectors, and ongoing initiatives supporting sustainable and low-carbon development. 

Photo 5. Panel discussion on Tracking ASEAN’s Readiness for Urban Energy Modelling in Smart Cities: Global Benchmarks and Regional Pathways. 

The workshop continues with the 2nd session on Tracking ASEAN’s Readiness for Urban Energy Modelling in Smart Cities: Global Benchmarks and Regional Pathways. Aimed to identify practical actions and partnerships to strengthen ASEAN’s technical and institutional capacity to embed modelling into smart city development, which was hindered by common barriers such as data gaps, institutional fragmentation, and financing constraints, this panellist session was moderated by Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi.  

Drawing lesson from international practices, ACE invited several speakers in urban planning; Huey Y. Yoong, Head of Implementation for East, SEA and Oceania, C40 Cities; Charlton Materum, Technical Adviser, Energy & Buildings (Southeast Asia), UCAP CAI Programme, C40 Cities; Alvin Ee Wei Liang, Research Fellow, Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore; Zaharatul Hasanah, Planner on Urban Affairs at Directorate of Spatial Planning, Urban Affairs, Land Affairs, and Disaster Management, Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), Indonesia. 

Photo 6. Panel discussion on Tools, Data, and Policy Enablers for Integrated Urban-Energy Modelling: Lessons from Malaysia and ASEAN Cities 

Moderated by Rika Safrina, the third session on Tools, Data, and Policy Enablers for Integrated Urban-Energy Modelling: Lessons from Malaysia and ASEAN Cities showcased the practical use of modelling tools, data systems, and enabling policies that support integrated urban-energy planning by highlighting how different modelling approaches can inform city-scale planning, required data, and how results can be mainstreamed into urban-energy decision-making.  

This session brought speakers from Malaysian experts on energy planning; Prof. Ir. Dr. Haslenda binti Hashim, the Head of Green Energy and Environmental Planning (GREEN), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM); Dr. Nurul Hidayah Shabdin, Research Analyst II of Malaysia Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT); Prof. Dr. Norasikin Ahmad Ludin, Director of Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). 

Photo 7. Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi delivering a closing remark to conclude the first day of the workshop. 

The first day of the workshop concluded with a closing remark from Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, emphasising the importance of integrating urban and energy planning to build smart, low-carbon, resilient, and inclusive ASEAN cities. Digitalisation and renewable energy are tools for efficiency and climate adaptation, acknowledging challenges like data gaps and financing, and stressing regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing. 

The second day of the workshop featured insightful site visits to Smart City Putrajaya office at Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPj) and Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) Smart UniverCity. The site visits allow delegates first-hand exposure to Malaysia’s leading examples of smart and sustainable urban-energy integration. 

Visit to Perbadanan Putrajaya 

Photo 8. Group photo session at Perbadanan Putrajaya Office 

Beginning in the morning, Mr. Shurazi bin Shukur from the ICT division of Perbadanan Putrajaya delivered a comprehensive presentation on the Putrajaya Smart City Blueprint (2018-2025). The session introduced seven key smart city domains designed to improve livability, enhance energy efficiency, and strengthen digital governance. The domains include smart safety, infrastructure, transportation, environment, economy, governance, and community.  

Photo 9. Presentation on Putrajaya Smart City Blueprint (2018-2025) 

Following the presentation, delegates were guided through Putrajaya Urban Observatory (PUO), which serves as a central hub for urban data management. Through the website platform, delegates explored real-time tools integrating data from multiple sectors covering mobility, land-use, environment, public services, and energy to support evidence-based decision-making. 

Photo 10. Visit to Putrajaya Urban Observatory 

Visit to UNITEN Smart UniverCity 

Photo 11. Group photo session at UNITEN 

In the afternoon, the session was begun with a warm welcome from Prof. Ir. Dr. Khairul Salleh bin Mohamed Sahari, the vice chancellor of UNITEN and remarks from Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, as the head of delegation, and followed by a presentation by Dr. Nur Azzamudin Rahmat introducing UNITEN’s Smart UniverCity initiatives, highlighting projects that integrate solar PV systems, battery energy storage, electric vehicles, smart grid technologies, smart building, and energy management research across the campus. Participants learned how UNITEN operates as a living laboratory, advancing smart energy solutions supporting decarbonisation and digital innovation in urban settings. 

Photo 12. Welcome remarks and presentations on UNITEN Smart UniverCity 

The visit concluded with a sightseeing tour aboard an electric bus, allowing participants to observe the university’s solar rooftop installations, battery storage facilities, and research centres, reflecting UNITEN’s leadership in bridging academia, technology, and sustainability. 

Through workshop sessions and site visits, the event provided a comprehensive platform for knowledge exchange, enabling AMS representatives to learn from real-world applications, technical tools, and institutional practices. The insights gathered will support ASEAN’s efforts to mainstream integrated urban-energy planning and inform future strategies under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC).