KUCHING, Sept 8: Hydropower currently offers the lowest Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE), giving Sarawak a sustainable and competitive advantage over other regions.
Sarawak Energy Berhad Group chief executive officer (CEO) Datu Sharbini Suhaili said this could allow Sarawak to transfer the savings to our domestic customers and at the same time attract energy-intensive industries by offering competitive bulk power tariffs.
“Sarawak Energy currently offers the lowest average unsubsidised tariffs in Malaysia and among the lowest in the region.
“In addition to energy affordability, Sarawak’s focus on hydropower has enhanced sustainability by delivering energy security, reliability, and helping to power Sarawak’s ambition to achieve developed status by 2030 through hydro-industrialisation from Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score),” he said.
Believing that hydropower has paved the way for a sustainable energy future for Sarawak and beyond, Sharbini highlighted the benefits of renewable hydropower and how Sarawak Energy champions sustainability in its business and operations.
“Sustainability is key to maintaining our social license to operate and the right to grow. Everyone has a part to play in this. The global energy market is evolving and there has been a clear shift in the demand for renewable energy.
“Sarawak Energy is Malaysia’s largest provider of renewable energy through a power generation mix that is predominantly hydropower. Our aspiration is to be the green company of the region, sharing our renewable, reliable, and affordable hydropower resources with our neighbours,” he said at the 2021 World Hydropower Congress’ online opening plenary session yesterday (Sept 7).
Organised by the International Hydropower Association (IHA), the biennial congress provides a platform to share experiences showcasing examples of best practices, guiding policies and strategies of the industry.
Held virtually for the first time, the theme for this year’s congress is ‘Renewables Working Together in An Interconnected World’, under the patronage of the Costa Rica President, supported by Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE).
Among those also present were Hydropower Sustainability Council chairman Dr Ashok Khosla and World Wide Fund (WWF) International president Pavan Sukhdev. — DayakDaily
