Development of a Centralized Risk Register Framework for Enhancing Risk Management in Electric Power Transmission Projects in Developing Countries: The Case of Malaysia

Abstract

Electric power transmission (EPT) construction projects are inherently complex and high-risk, exposed to technical, economic, environmental, and external uncertainties that often lead to delays, cost overruns, performance issues, and safety incidents. These challenges are particularly critical in developing countries, where the rapid expansion of energy infrastructure is constrained by limited financial resources, institutional capacity, and fragmented project knowledge. Traditional risk management approaches remain largely subjective and lack centralized mechanisms for systematic knowledge capture and dissemination, resulting in recurring issues and inconsistent project performance. This study aims to strengthen risk management in EPT projects through the development of a centralized risk register framework tailored for developing countries. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, involving document reviews of completed EPT projects to extract and classifyrisk data, followed by expert validation and prioritization through focus group assessments. The study identified 79 significant risks, grouped into 11 categories, with the analysis revealing that the most critical risks pertain to design coordination failures, inadequate safety management, delays in material supply, land acquisition issues, and contractor manpower shortages, all of which collectively affect project performance. The study consolidates these findings into a sector-specific risk register, serving as a structured repository to support systematic risk identification, assessment, and response planning in EPT projects. The centralized risk register seeks to promote knowledge retention and dissemination of risk information; enhance EPT project delivery through improved consistency, institutional learning, and evidence-based governance; and ultimately support more resilient and cost-effective infrastructure development in developing economies such as Malaysia.