By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 31: Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar PJSC) and Syarikat Sesco Berhad (Sesco), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Energy, have signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the development of a 400-megawatt (MW) floating solar photovoltaic (PV) project at the Murum Hydroelectric Plant (HEP) reservoir in Belaga.
The project, which is set to become one of the largest floating solar installations in Southeast Asia, marks another significant step in Sarawak’s efforts to expand its renewable energy capacity and diversify its electricity generation mix.
Following the signing, representatives from Masdar and Sarawak Energy paid a courtesy call on Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Satria Pertiwi Complex yesterday (Oct 30).
The delegation included Masdar chief executive officer Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Sarawak Energy chairman Datuk Ibrahim Baki, group chief executive officer Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili, and group chief executive officer-designate Dato Ruslan Abdul Ghani.
According to a media release from the Premier of Sarawak’s Office, the 400MW facility will be developed on the reservoir of the 944MW Murum HEP, Sarawak’s second-largest hydroelectric plant after Bakun. Located in Belaga, Kapit Division, the hydroelectric facility was commissioned in 2014.
The floating solar development will complement the existing hydropower infrastructure by adding solar generation to the reservoir, allowing Sarawak Energy to further strengthen its renewable energy portfolio.
The PPA builds on the collaboration between Sarawak Energy and Masdar following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai in December 2023.
Beyond the Murum project, Sarawak Energy is also advancing several other floating solar developments as part of its broader renewable energy expansion strategy.
These include the 50MW floating solar facility at Batang Ai, which commenced commercial operations in December 2024.
Agreements have also been secured for an additional 120MW floating solar project at Batang Ai, bringing the facility’s total planned capacity to 170MW upon completion.
Another 300MW floating solar project is planned at the Bakun HEP reservoir.
Together, these developments will contribute towards Sarawak’s target of achieving at least 1,500MW of solar generation capacity and 10 gigawatts (GW) of total electricity generation capacity by 2030.
Sarawak is also targeting to maintain at least 60 per cent renewable energy in its overall generation mix, reinforcing its ambition to strengthen its position as a regional supplier of cleaner energy.
The latest agreement with Masdar further underscores Sarawak’s strategy of leveraging its existing hydropower assets and natural resources to support the transition towards a more diversified and sustainable energy system. — DayakDaily
