By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 11: The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) has expressed interest in collaborating with Sarawak Energy, the International Hydropower Association (IHA), and the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) on policy, advocacy, and renewable energy capacity building.
According to Sarawak Energy in a statement today, Deputy Prime Minister Dato Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also Minister for Petra, voices the intention during a discussion with Sarawak Energy Group CEO Datuk Sharbini Suhaili together with IHA and GRA presidents, Eddie Rich and Bruce Douglas at Malaysia High Commission in London on June 26.
“The discussion aimed to progress Malaysia’s sustainable energy goals and expand regional collaboration opportunities with the global hydropower community to accelerate hydropower development towards meeting the nation’s net zero target by 2050.
“The discussions deliberate on matters involving covered pumped storage, cascading power sources, and integrating hydropower into ASEAN energy programmes,” it said.
Meanwhile, during the discussion, Sharbini emphasised Sarawak Energy’s commitment to accelerate hydropower development towards Net Zero and shared insights on how renewable hydropower has powered Sarawak’s sustainable growth.
He said renewable hydropower can power sustainable socio-economic growth in Sarawak and serve as one of the key enablers for regional growth.
He also said that while Southeast Asia’s installed hydropower capacity is expected to continue growing to meet electricity demand, many policymakers in the region have not included hydropower in net zero strategies yet as reflected in IHA’s published 2024 World Hydropower Outlook.
“With increased resources and strengthened partnerships, Sarawak Energy aims to support
global energy transition efforts and contribute to the region’s energy transition.
“Malaysia recognises large hydropower as a contributor to renewable energy targets at the
national level. With this, Malaysia can play a very important role in driving this regional shift towards renewable hydropower – becoming an energy transition leader in Southeast Asia,” he added. — DayakDaily
