By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 23: Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) has marked a historic milestone with the official launch of piped natural gas supply to households in Sungai Plan, Bintulu, bringing direct energy access to local residents for the first time since natural gas processing operations began in the town in 1982.
According to a press release from PETROS, the launch marks significant progress under the Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR), a strategic initiative by the Sarawak government implemented through PETROS to enhance domestic gas utilisation, improve energy access, and support sustainable development across the State.
“The ‘First Piped Gas to Sungai Plan’ project is PETROS’ first residential piped gas supply initiative in Bintulu and marks a tangible step towards bringing Sarawak’s gas resources directly to its people.
“The pilot phase involves the construction of a dedicated reticulation system, which includes a newly built city gate station, over three kilometres of distribution pipeline, and internal piping for the initial 39 connected households.
“PETROS aims to extend gas coverage to over 3,500 households in the Sungai Plan area by the end of 2027,” the press release stated.
PETROS added that the infrastructure delivers natural gas directly to homes for cooking and other domestic uses, providing residents with a cleaner, more convenient, and cost-effective alternative to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Beyond household benefits, the piped gas initiative supports Bintulu’s long-term industrial development.
Under the SGR, Bintulu has been designated as one of four strategic gas hubs alongside Miri, Samalaju, and Kuching. These hubs form part of a statewide ‘Hub-and-Spoke’ model to ensure reliable gas supply across urban and hinterland areas.
“Investments in supporting infrastructure are well underway. In Bintulu, PETROS is constructing the 65-kilometre Samalaju Pipeline (SPL) to supply natural gas to the Samalaju Industrial Park, including to the 1,500MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Power Plant currently under development.
“PETROS is also progressing works on the Gas to Bintulu (GtB) Trunkline Project, extending transmission gas pipeline from the Kidurong Industrial Area to Jepak and Samalaju Industrial Park Ringmain (SIPR), which will further enhance intra-zone gas distribution.”
For areas without pipeline connections, PETROS is implementing a Virtual Pipeline System (VPS) to transport natural gas by road and sea.
PETROS highlighted that the first customer in Kuching is expected to receive supply via the Virtual Pipeline System (VPS) by the end of 2025, with a broader rollout planned for 2026.
“As the sole Gas Aggregator for Sarawak, PETROS plays a central role in developing and managing the State’s gas distribution system.
“These efforts aim to raise Sarawak’s domestic gas utilisation from 6 per cent to at least 30 per cent by 2030, in alignment with the Sarawak government’s energy transition agenda,” PETROS stated.
The event was officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in Bintulu today (July 23).
Today’s launch also coincides with Sarawak Day and comes ahead of PETROS’ eighth anniversary, underscoring Sarawak’s continued progress towards a cleaner, more inclusive, and resilient energy future.
Also present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi; Minister for Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; Deputy Minister for Utility (Sarawak Energy and Petros) Dato Ibrahim Baki; PETROS chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr Hamid Bugo; PETROS Group chief executive officer (CEO) Dato Janin Girie; along with other dignitaries and members of the local community. — DayakDaily
