KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian energy giants Petronas and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) have secured top positions in global brand strength rankings, highlighting the country’s continued presence in the international energy industry.
According to the Energy 100 2026 report by Brand Finance, a leading brand valuation consultancy, PETRONAS climbed one position to become the world’s second strongest oil and gas brand, scoring 83.5 out of 100 on the Brand Strength Index (BSI) and earning an AAA- rating.
Despite its brand value declining 4% to US$13.8 billion, Brand Finance’s market research found that PETRONAS had strengthened perceptions of its reputation, reliability and customer engagement in Malaysia.
The national oil company continued to build its standing through social impact initiatives and efforts to support the energy transition, investing more than RM500 million in social programmes in 2025 that benefited over 2.5 million people.
Its hosting of Energy Asia 2025 and delivery of Malaysia’s first locally blended sustainable aviation fuel also reinforced perceptions of innovation and national leadership.
Meanwhile, its Setel and Mesra Rewards ecosystem has helped deepen customer engagement by integrating fuel purchases, payment services and rewards into a single platform.
TNB also performed strongly, securing third place among the world’s strongest utilities brands with a BSI score of 91.5 and an AAA+ rating.
Its score improved from 88.9 in 2025, reflecting stronger stakeholder perceptions and the resilience of its brand in the domestic market.
Brand Finance found that 91% of respondents in Malaysia were familiar with TNB, reflecting its widespread visibility as the country’s primary electricity provider.
Its regular interactions with consumers through billing services, power outage updates and digital platforms have helped maintain strong brand recognition.
The company’s government-linked status and responsibility for delivering essential national infrastructure have also contributed to perceptions of credibility and reliability.
The rankings come as the global energy industry undergoes significant transformation, with the combined value of the world’s 100 leading energy brands increasing 6% to US$731.2 billion in 2026, from US$688.6 billion the previous year.
Brand Finance attributed the growth to rising electricity demand, infrastructure spending, renewable energy development and the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI).
Its analysis also pointed to a growing shift in energy investment towards the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and selected emerging markets, where governments and national energy companies are committing substantial resources to renewable energy, grid modernisation, AI infrastructure and low-carbon technologies.
Brand Finance Asia-Pacific managing director Alex Haigh said the performance of Petronas and TNB reflected the continued strength of Malaysian energy brands internationally.
“The strong performance of Petronas and Tenaga Nasional demonstrates the continued strength of Malaysian energy brands on the global stage. The improvement in brand strength reflects the importance of reputation, reliability, familiarity and meaningful engagement with stakeholders. As Malaysia’s energy landscape evolves, maintaining trust while demonstrating innovation and a credible transition strategy will be increasingly important for both brands.”
Global energy brands performance
Elsewhere, Shell retained its position as the world’s most valuable oil and gas brand for the 12th consecutive year, with its brand value increasing 14% to US$51.8 billion.
The recovery followed a 10% decline in 2025, with its continued focus on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas helping position the company to benefit from growing global energy demand, particularly in Asia.
Shell also remained the world’s strongest oil and gas brand, recording a BSI score of 83.9 and an AAA- rating.
In the utilities sector, China’s State Grid Corporation retained its position as the world’s most valuable utilities brand for the 10th consecutive year, with its brand value rising 20% to US$102.4 billion.
Its performance reflects the scale of China’s electricity infrastructure and continued investment in transmission and distribution networks to meet growing demand driven by industrial activity, electrification and renewable energy deployment.
State Grid also maintained its position as the strongest utilities brand globally, with a BSI score of 92.9 and an AAA+ rating.
Brand Finance’s market research found that the Chinese company continued to benefit from strong domestic brand familiarity, reliability and reputation. – November 5, 2026