Understanding CRESS
In September 2024, CRESS was launched with the aim to provide an open grid access to renewable energy players, whereby renewable energy developers may sell green electricity directly to their preferred customers using TNB’s grid network.
This initiative is a progressive step towards liberalization of the electricity market and is expected to reduce the risks and costs associated with Malaysia’s Electricity Supply Industry (MESI) while attracting more renewable energy players in a healthy competitive environment.
CRESS Implementation Framework

CRESS Contractual Framework


CRESS Application Process
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Project Identification & Contracting
Primary Responsible: Green Consumer (GC), Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
Involved Parties: –
What this means: The Green Consumer identifies a Renewable Energy Developer and formalises the commercial relationship through a Bilateral Energy Supply Contract. This establishes the basis for participation under the CGPP framework.
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Registration & Supporting Document Submission
- Primary Responsible: Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
- Involved Parties: Single Buyer (SB), Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST)
- What this means: The project is registered on the Single Buyer platform, together with the submission of required supporting documentation. This ensures the project information is formally recorded for review and regulatory reference.
Primary Responsible: Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
What this means: The project is registered on the Single Buyer platform, together with the submission of required supporting documentation. This ensures the project information is formally recorded for review and regulatory reference.
Document checklist:
- RED documents
- Company profile and relevant supporting documents
- Certified copy of SSM registration
- Bank statement (account number as stated in Part 1.2 of NEDA registration form)
- Declaration of RED (as per NEDA registration form)
- Corporate authorisation to participate in NEDA
- Copy of executed and stamped Land Lease Agreement/Title/Sale and Purchase Agreement
- Copy of executed and stamped Bilateral Energy Supply Contract between RED and GC
- Power plant project details including project costs, preliminary technical specifications, relevant drawings and project schedule (as specified in Part 2.6.4 of NEDA registration form)
- Decommissioning plan of power plant
- NEDA registration form is duly completed & declaration form signed
- GC documents
- Company profile and relevant supporting documents
- Certified copy of SSM registration
- Document proof of company status - as stated in the NEDA registration form
- Declaration of GC (as per NEDA registration form)
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Registration Review & Verification
Primary Responsible: Single Buyer (SB)
Involved Parties: –
What this means: Single Buyer reviews the submitted registration details and supporting documents to confirm completeness and alignment with CGPP registration requirements.
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Registration Reference Issuance
Primary Responsible: Single Buyer (SB)
Involved Parties: Renewable Energy Developer (RED), Grid System Operator (GSO)
What this means: Upon successful verification, Single Buyer issues a registration reference number. This confirms that the project is formally registered and eligible to proceed to the system assessment stage.
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Power System Study (PSS) Coordination & Execution
Primary Responsible: Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
Involved Parties: TNB Grid
What this means: A Power System Study is conducted to assess the technical impact of the proposed project on the electricity grid and to evaluate system feasibility.
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PSS Validation
Primary Responsible: TNB Grid
Involved Parties: Grid System Operator (GSO)
What this means: The study results are reviewed and validated to ensure compliance with grid planning and operational requirements.
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System Assessment Decision (PSS Outcome)
Primary Responsible: TNB Grid
Involved Parties: Grid System Operator (GSO)
What this means: A determination is made on whether the project meets system requirements. Projects that do not pass the assessment will not proceed further in the CGPP process.
- Pass: Proceed to capacity approval
- Fail: Process ends
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PSS Approval Issuance
Primary Responsible: TNB Grid
What this means: A formal approval letter is issued confirming the approved capacity and acceptance of system impact, enabling the project to proceed to capacity validation.
Document Checklist:
- PSS approval letter from PSS Approval Committee
- Copy of PSS report
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Capacity Update & PSS Documentation Submission
Primary Responsible: Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
Involved Parties: Single Buyer (SB), Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST)
What this means: The approved capacity is updated in the Single Buyer system, together with submission of the PSS approval letter and consultant report for record and reference.
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Grid Validation Request
Primary Responsible: Single Buyer (SB)
Involved Parties: Grid System Operator (GSO)
What this means: Single Buyer formally requests validation from the Grid System Operator to recognize the project’s future connection to the electricity grid.
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Future Grid Connection Validation
Primary Responsible: Single Buyer (SB)
Involved Parties: Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
What this means: A validation letter is issued confirming that the project’s future grid connection is acknowledged within the system planning framework.
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Registration Verification Issuance
Primary Responsible: Single Buyer (SB)
Involved Parties: Renewable Energy Developer (RED), Green Consumer (GC), Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST)
What this means: Single Buyer issues a registration verification letter, confirming that the project has successfully completed registration and capacity validation milestones.
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NEDA CRESS Deed of Agreement Issuance & Execution
Primary Responsible: Single Buyer (SB), Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
Involved Parties: –
What this means: The NEDA CRESS Deed of Agreement is issued by Single Buyer and executed by the Renewable Energy Developer to formalize participation under the CGPP framework.
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Renewable Energy Supply Access Agreement (RESAA)
Primary Responsible: TNB Grid
Involved Parties: Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
What this means: The RESAA establishes the technical and operational access arrangements for renewable energy supply to the grid.
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Plant & Interconnection Facility Development
Primary Responsible: Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
Involved Parties: TNB Grid
What this means: The generation plant and interconnection facilities are developed in preparation for commissioning and system integration.
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Bilateral Framework Agreement (BFA) Execution
Primary Responsible: TNB Retail
Involved Parties: Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
What this means: The Bilateral Framework Agreement governs commercial arrangements between the Renewable Energy Developer and TNB Retail.
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Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Agreement (CRESA)
Primary Responsible: TNB Retail
Involved Parties: Green Consumer (GC), Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
What this means: The CRESA sets out the terms for renewable energy supply between the Renewable Energy Developer and the Green Consumer under the CGPP.
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Generation License Application & Decision
Primary Responsible: Renewable Energy Developer (RED), Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST)
Involved Parties: –
What this means: The Renewable Energy Developer applies for a generation license. Approval by Suruhanjaya Tenaga is required before the project can proceed to commissioning.
- Approved: Proceed to commissioning
- Not approved: Rectification required
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NEDA CRESS Deed of Agreement Issuance & Execution
Primary Responsible: Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
Involved Parties: Single Buyer (SB), TNB Retail
What this means: Required documents, including the generation license and financial guarantees, are submitted to support commissioning activities.
Document checklist:
- Copy of executed and stamped NEDA CRESS Deed of Accession (DoA)
- Copy of executed and stamped Renewable Energy Supply Access Agreement (RE SAA) (between RED and TNB Grid)
- Copy of executed and stamped Back-feed Agreement (between RED and TB Retail) - before obtaining license approval from ST
- Copy of executed and stamped Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Agreement (CRESA) (between GC and TNB Retail) - once the electricity acc no. is available
- Copy of executed and stamped Billing and Collection Agreement (between RED, GC and TNB Retail) - if applicable
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Initial Operation Date (IOD)
Primary Responsible: Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
Involved Parties: TNB Grid
What this means: The project reaches its initial operation milestone, indicating readiness for formal commissioning tests.
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Commercial Operation Date (COD) Testing
Primary Responsible: Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
Involved Parties: TNB Grid
What this means: Commissioning tests are conducted to verify technical performance and system compliance prior to market participation.
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COD Validation
Primary Responsible: TNB Grid
Involved Parties: Grid System Operator (GSO)
What this means: Test results are reviewed and validated to confirm that commissioning requirements have been met.
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Commissioning Test Certificate (CTC) Issuance
Primary Responsible: Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST)
Involved Parties: Single Buyer (SB)
What this means: The Commissioning Test Certificate is issued, confirming successful completion of commissioning activities.
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Firm Participation Enablement
Primary Responsible: Single Buyer (SB)
Involved Parties: Renewable Energy Developer (RED)
What this means: Single Buyer issues the Firm Participation Notice and confirms the Firm Participation Date, enabling the project to participate in the electricity market.
This section provides official documents governing participation in the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS). These references support understanding of media statements that have previously explained how renewable energy is exported through the grid and how its environmental benefits are recognized.
Leading Renewable Energy Initiatives
NEDA
CGPP
CREAM