Malaysia has taken a significant step towards water security and digitalisation with the completion of the country’s first Digital Twin Water Treatment Plant (WTP) at Semenyih 2 WTP. The milestone project was developed through a partnership between Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) and Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation.
The Semenyih 2 WTP, operational since 2022, is Malaysia’s first fully automated water treatment facility. Now enhanced with Asset Digital Twin technology, the plant is capable of autonomous operations, including startup and shutdown processes. The integration of this advanced system is expected to boost productivity by up to 20 per cent, setting a benchmark for innovation and efficiency in the country’s water sector.
Adam Saffian Ghazali, Chief Executive Officer of Air Selangor, underscored the importance of digital transformation in water management.
“The Digital Twin solutions are a game-changer for the water industry. By enabling real-time monitoring and optimisation of our WTP operations, we can deliver a more consistent and reliable water supply, reduce inefficiencies, and improve service quality for our 9.62 million consumers. This aligns with our commitment to sustainability and our vision to become Asia’s leading water services provider by 2030,” said Adam.
The Asset Digital Twin technology allows for early anomaly detection, optimised water distribution strategies, and predictive analytics that can anticipate disruptions months in advance. These capabilities enhance Air Selangor’s ability to implement mitigation strategies efficiently, ensuring uninterrupted water supply.
The project’s impact has already been acknowledged internationally. The Semenyih 2 WTP Digital Twin initiative has been shortlisted for the prestigious Global Water Awards 2025 by Global Water Intelligence (GWI) under the ‘Water Project of the Year’ category. The awards, presented annually at the Global Water Summit, honour outstanding achievements in sustainable and innovative water management.
Shanmugavel Subramaniam, Global Water Segment Leader at Schneider Electric, highlighted the transformative nature of Digital Twin technology in the water industry.
“Digital Twin – a virtual representation of physical water infrastructure and processes – is revolutionising the water industry. By integrating diverse data streams with online hydraulic modelling in their large water distribution network, Air Selangor is unlocking a deeper understanding of complex water distribution networks through real-time monitoring and remote control of water distribution flow on demand. This enables more informed decisions and efficient operations in water management,” said Shanmugavel.
Malaysia faces significant water security challenges, with the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) warning of potential shortages within the next five years due to climate change, rising demand, and ageing infrastructure. Industry experts stress the need for innovative solutions and a shift towards a circular economy in water management.
Eugene Quah, country president for Malaysia at Schneider Electric, emphasised the urgency of addressing water security challenges through innovation.
“Water security is an urgent issue, and continuing on our current trajectory is unsustainable. Malaysia’s water sector must recognise all assets as resources to be reused, shifting our mindset and practices to embrace a circular economy. By viewing water and its associated processes as interconnected systems, we can enhance sustainability, optimise resource utilisation, and improve efficiency. We commend Air Selangor for its proactive efforts in leading the charge towards a more sustainable future for water in Malaysia,” he said.
The completion of Malaysia’s first Digital Twin WTP at Semenyih 2 marks a transformative step in modernising the nation’s water infrastructure. As Malaysia moves towards greater digitalisation in water management, the partnership between Air Selangor and Schneider Electric serves as a model for future innovation and resilience in the sector. 
