By Amanda L
KUCHING, June 14: Indonesia’s approval is required before the next phase of the proposed undersea power cable linking Sarawak and Johor can proceed, with seabed studies unable to begin without consent.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof said about 60 to 70 per cent of the planned cable route would pass through Indonesian waters, making its approval essential before technical work on seabed conditions and alignment can be carried out.
“We are still waiting for approval on the route so that we can conduct seabed studies in Indonesian waters. We have already written to them seeking consent.
“Once approval is obtained, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and other relevant parties will undertake detailed seabed assessments and determine the most suitable route for the cable,” he told reporters after officiating the new Surau Nurul Muslimin building in Kampung Sungai Bedil Besar here today.
Fadillah who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation said the proposed Sarawak-Johor interconnection forms part of broader plans to strengthen regional energy connectivity under the ASEAN Power Grid initiative.
He said the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), headquartered in Jakarta, is working to harmonise standards governing cross-border electricity supply among member countries.
However, he noted that varying levels of infrastructure readiness remain one of the key challenges facing the regional initiative, as some countries have yet to upgrade their existing transmission systems to accommodate greater cross-border power exchanges.
Fadillah said Sarawak is already connected to West Kalimantan and Sabah with plans underway to extend the network to Brunei.
The links would eventually form part of the proposed Borneo Grid connecting Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Kalimantan before being integrated into a wider regional network involving other parts of Indonesia and the Philippines.
“The planned connection between Sarawak and Johor would further strengthen Malaysia’s role in the ASEAN Power Grid, which aims to create an interconnected regional electricity network stretching across Southeast Asia,” he added.
On grid readiness, Fadillah said Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has committed to investing approximately RM42 billion through 2028 to upgrade its transmission infrastructure, including the development of sections of a 500kV grid system. — DayakDaily
