Tze Phei Tee is the Chief Information Officer at Wasco Berhad, where he spearheads the Group’s digital transformation and innovation agenda across global energy markets. With over a decade of experience spanning Oracle, IBM, Hitachi, Accenture and Wasco, he brings deep expertise in Industry 4.0, energy modernisation, and sustainability. Tze Phei has been at the forefront of Smart Grid and Energy Transition efforts in ASEAN since 2013. Known for blending strategic vision with emerging tech like AI, IoT, and data analytics, he is also a certified Agile Scrum Master. Tze Phei holds an MSc from Warwick Business School and a Bachelor’s in Electronics Engineering. Recently, in an exclusive interview with CIO Magazine, Tze Phei shared insights on his career journey, digital transformation, and the future of the energy sector. Drawing on years of hands-on experience in Industry 4.0 and sustainability-driven initiatives, he discussed the critical role of technology in accelerating the energy transition. The conversation covered the importance of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in shaping the future of energy, as well as his personal hobbies and interests, future plans, pearls of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview. Hi Tze Phei. Can you tell us about your early career experiences and how you got started in the energy industry? Good day, first of all thank you for the opportunity to be featured in your esteemed magazine. It is truly an honour. Looking back at the early days of my career, I began my journey with leading global business and technology consulting firms, helping my customers to strategise, design and implement digital solutions as part of their long-term transformation journeys. Interestingly, the term “digital” was not widely used then, everything was described as “smart” — smart city, smart home, smart water, you name it. In 2013, I was fortunate to be among the few in the Southeast Asia to witness the wave of global modernisation disrupting the energy and utilities industry. At the right place and right time surrounded by the right people, I was given the opportunity to help pioneer this evolution regionally, starting in Malaysia through the national Smart Grid and Smart Metering programme. Given how the core design of power grids had remained largely unchanged for a century, this was a “once-in-a-generation” transformation — moving towards more intelligent, dynamic infrastructure powered by data, analytics, Internet of Things (IoT) and AI. It also laid the groundwork for accommodating large-scale power generation and distributed renewable energy, paving the way for what we now call the “Energy Transition”. What do you love the most about your current role? Job satisfaction, without a doubt. Driving digital transformation alongside my passionate global team at Wasco is both challenging and deeply rewarding. From listening about business challenges and co-creating solutions to implementing and realising tangible business values – every step allows us to make a lasting impact on the organisation. Being part of this journey and leaving a meaningful footprint is what truly drives me. How do you think Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) will shape the future of the energy industry? When most people talk about renewable energy, they think of large-scale green power generation producing at the range of hundreds of MWac. However, after years of advocacy within my community, I have come to emphasise a broader, more nuanced approach, where Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are essential components to be embedded as part of the end-to-end grid modernisation in order to support the increasing demand of electrification in our lives. While renewable energy like wind and solar are vital in reducing global GHG emissions, they also introduce new challenges to the traditional grid particularly at the distribution level – impacting reliability, resiliency and in some cases affordability. This is where the management of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) comes in to intelligently optimise the coexistence of fossil fuel with variable renewable sources, like rooftop solar, battery, Electric Vehicle (EV) and other flexible loads. Ultimately, if we apply the right engineering and digital solutions, renewable energy can become stable and dependable enough to dominate the energy mix. This vision includes empowering consumers to become active prosumers, contributing energy back to the grid to balance the supply and demand in real-time form. If scaled across national grids, this model could be a major breakthrough in addressing today’s energy trilemma. What's your take on the role of design thinking in digital transformation? Design thinking is one of the most empathetic and impactful approaches I have used so far in truly listening to and understanding our stakeholders. It enables us to define the right problems and design the right solutions, before jumping prematurely into solutions, ensuring technology follows real needs. That said, its iterative and time-intensive nature can be perceived as low-value by certain stakeholders who prioritise quick outcomes and struggle to see the immediate benefits. In that sense, Design Thinking to me is considered a double-edge sword. When applied thoughtfully within the right context, it drives powerful outcomes. But, if introduced too early or misaligned within expectations, you may face resistance from stakeholders especially during the early stages of a digital transformation journey. What personal or professional philosophies have contributed to your success, and how have you applied these principles in your career? Never compare yourself to others. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, because there is no standard definition of success in our life. We each walk a different path, different starting points, different opportunities along the way, and even different priorities at different stages of life. To me, success is about crafting a unique story for yourself, one that you will be proud of to tell and pass on to future generations when the time comes. What is your favorite quote? One that consistently comes on top of my mind is “Growth and comfort do not coexist”, by the former CEO of IBM, Ginni Rometty. Ever since, it has been a motivational quote for me to grow myself in today’s challenging world. Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Definitely, in fact there is not just one person but I am fortunate to have had a few. Apart from my parents, I have met several lifelong mentors early in my career who unconditionally provided me golden opportunities, guidance and support in a consistent manner. We started as colleagues, grew into mentor-mentee relationships, and today remained close lifelong friends. What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off? Travel is high on my list —whether solo or with a group of friends or family, each experience brings a different vibe and purpose. I have deep appreciation for exploring unique cultures of different countries and regions. It is not just about ticking off major attractions, sometimes, I find the greatest joy in simply sitting quietly in a foreign place, observing the rhythm of everyday life and the stories of people from all walks of life. Creativity also fuels me. Outside work, I enjoy designing — whether it’s photography, video editing, or creating infographics and short clips. I draw inspiration from books, films, music and other creators. It’s a form of self-expression that recharges me. What is your biggest goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? My immediate goal is to lead Wasco’s long-term transformation journey successfully as Group CIO — by building an elite team, fostering collaboration, and driving meaningful outcomes across the organisation. I am aware of the complexities ahead, especially considering the global statistics on digital transformation success rates. Still, I remain hopeful and committed to navigating the challenges and delivering lasting value. What advice would you give to aspiring professionals looking to break into the energy industry? Traditionally, the energy industry was often viewed as less appealing compared to sectors like banking or telecommunications. However, global imperatives such as Energy Transition, Net Zero commitments and ESG mandates have reshaped this perception significantly. The convergence of megatrends of renewable energy and digital technologies has positioned the energy sector as one of the most exciting and transformative fields to work in. In order to be part of this industry, it is crucial to have a genuine curiosity and passion for how energy powers the world. This interest often can be started on a personal level, as energy touches every aspect of our daily lives. What makes this industry interesting is that there is an abundance of opportunities to modernize and innovate within the ecosystem of energy. These opportunities are not confined to conventional energy giants, but they also can be offered by an increasing number of new energy players disrupting the market with advanced solutions and services focused on reducing GHG emissions. In short, energy today is not just about merely power generation or oil and gas, but also about the innovations driving increased electrification with the adoption of green technologies in many areas of our life.