By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 10: Sarawak Energy’s Bakun Hydroelectric Plant (Bakun HEP) has been awarded the International Hydropower Association (IHA) Blue Planet Prize 2025 in recognition of its outstanding commitment to sustainable hydropower development.
The accolade was presented on Tuesday (Sept 9) in Paris, France, during the International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower, organised by the IHA. The forum brought together global leaders from government, industry, finance, and civil society to discuss the role of pumped storage and hydropower in advancing the global energy transition.
The IHA Blue Planet Prize celebrates hydropower projects that demonstrate exceptional sustainability performance. Selection is based on an independent evaluation using the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS), which measures good practices across multiple criteria and verifies implementation through corporate policies, on-the-ground practices, documentation, and public consultation.
Projects eligible for the 2025 prize were assessed or certified under the HSS between July 1, 2023 and June 13, 2025.
Sarawak Energy Group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Sharbini Suhaili emphasised that this recognition is an affirmation of the company’s ongoing efforts to align with international standards and Sarawak’s Sustainability Vision, while delivering tangible Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) benefits for communities and the environment.
“Receiving the IHA Blue Planet Prize for Bakun HEP reflects Sarawak Energy’s commitment to embedding sustainability across our hydropower operations.
“Hydropower remains the backbone of Sarawak’s energy mix, enabling us to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy, while advancing the State’s renewable energy agenda. We are committed to certifying all our hydropower plants by 2030,” he said in a media release today.
IHA CEO Eddie Rich highlighted that Bakun demonstrates what can be achieved when a project embraces continuous improvement with a long-term vision.
“By integrating sustainability practices throughout its operations and addressing gaps identified in assessments, Sarawak Energy has shown that hydropower can deliver significant benefits for both communities and the environment. This award is richly deserved,” he said.
Fully commissioned in 2014, Bakun HEP, with a capacity of 2,520 MW, is Malaysia’s largest renewable energy facility. It plays a central role in Sarawak’s predominantly renewable generation portfolio, alongside Murum HEP (944 MW) and Batang Ai HEP (94 MW).
As Malaysia’s largest renewable energy developer and an active IHA member since 2010, Sarawak Energy has consistently advanced sustainable hydropower practices. The company develops and operates its plants in accordance with the HSS and other international benchmarks, upholding the principle that the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower.
This commitment was further recognised when Bakun HEP received Silver Certification under the HSS following an independent assessment by the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance. The assessment highlighted Bakun HEP’s strengths in community engagement, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and governance.
The certification was announced on Sept 3, 2025 during the Sustainability & Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF) 4.0 in Kuching, in the presence of the Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Beyond hydropower, Sarawak Energy also became the first South-East Asian global Patron of the World Energy Council in March 2024. In this capacity, the company supports the Council’s efforts to drive global energy transitions and contributes expertise on energy policy, innovation, and sustainability strategies. — DayakDaily
