By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 11: The 500MW Miri Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Power Plant is designed to strengthen Sarawak’s energy security while reserving 30 per cent of opportunities for Sarawak-based contractors, even as key contracts were awarded to international partners through competitive bidding to bring world-class technology, financing, and expertise.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Member of Parliament (MP) Backbenchers highlighted that the project, led by Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) in joint venture with global partners, aims to ensure a stable electricity supply for local communities and industries while building Sarawakian technical capacity.
“Sarawakians remain at the heart of PETROS’ development strategy. The company continues to prioritise local participation, capacity building, and employment opportunities. Over the past few years, PETROS has steadily increased Sarawakian representation across technical, operational, and managerial levels, reflecting our commitment to local empowerment.
“Currently, of the approximately 400 workers on site, nearly half are Sarawakians, including many from Miri, while most supervisors, engineers, technicians, and welders are also local,” the statement read following a press conference held by Sri Aman MP Dato Sri Doris Sophie Brodie in Parliament today.
The project’s structure is designed to maximise local involvement with earthworks have been fully executed by local contractors, while the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning (EPCC) package awarded to an international partner requires a minimum of 22 per cent local workforce content, which has already reached 23 per cent including subcontractors.
Utilities and gas supply pipeline packages are ongoing, with plans for 100 per cent local contractor and workforce participation.
The MPs emphasised that PETROS has also implemented extensive on-the-job training (OJT) programmes for Sarawakians.
“76 local operations and maintenance technicians have completed training as part of the Miri CCGT operational readiness, with eight more in progress.
“The OJT equips them with the skills and expertise needed to operate the plant safely and efficiently. The goal is for the Miri CCGT plant to be fully operated by Sarawakians by 2027,” they said.
They gained skills at facilities including Sarawak Energy’s Tanjung Kidurong Combined Cycle Power Plant in Bintulu and Miri Power Plant, Malakoff’s Lumut Power Plant in Perak, and PLN Indonesia Power’s Priok PGU in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The MPs emphasised that while international partners are needed to provide specialised technical expertise, local suppliers and services, including hotels, transport, and logistics, are already benefiting from the project.
PETROS is also investing in mentorship, targeted training, and industry collaboration to grow Sarawak’s technical workforce and ensure sustainable leadership in the energy sector.
“Our intent has always been to balance immediate project delivery with long-term capability building, securing a sustainable energy future for Sarawak, one step at a time,” they said. — DayakDaily
