By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 23: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has challenged researchers from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to develop a new generation of solar technology capable of generating energy for up to 12 hours without relying on battery storage systems.
He said he recently proposed the idea to UKM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Sufian Jusoh and engineering researchers specialising in energy technologies.
“I suggested to them to conduct a study, if they can develop solar panels. At the moment, solar panels can only last about four hours. After that, they are supported by battery energy storage systems (BESS).
“Since they are experts, I said we have materials to produce silica and silicon, and perhaps we also have raw materials that can be hybridised. Maybe we can extend energy duration from four hours to 12 hours without needing batteries,” he told reporters after officiating the Bintulu Division-level Sarawakku Sayang Programme at the Old Bintulu Airport today. A recording of his remarks was later shared with DayakDaily.
Abang Johari further said the research could involve experts in metallurgy and material sciences studying the properties of silica sand and other metals to develop longer-lasting solar energy systems.
He added that advancements in real-time data transmission and supercomputing technologies had inspired the idea of achieving similar breakthroughs in energy storage capacity.
“Previously, data could not move in real time. Now it can, based on the speed of light. If this can happen for data storage capacity, perhaps it can also happen for energy storage capacity,” he said.
The Premier also said the proposal remains at the research stage and would require in-depth scientific studies.
“I leave it to the scientists because they are the experts,” he said, adding that a female engineering professor from UKM had responded positively to the challenge and expressed willingness to study the proposal in collaboration with Sarawak’s semiconductor sector.
Earlier in his speech, Abang Johari also touched on broader futuristic energy concepts, including the idea of “splitting light into energy” as part of emerging areas of scientific exploration.
He, however, clarified that such concepts remain at the discussion stage and are part of broader scientific thinking on future energy systems, rather than being directly linked to the 12-hour solar proposal.
“There is a new technology that splits light, where light is broken down to produce its own energy.
“This is a new technology and, God willing, we will work together to establish and explore it,” he stated.
Also present were Abang Johari’s daughter Dayang Norjihan; Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof and wife Datin Amar Ruziah Tahir; Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas; Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and wife Dato Enn Ong; Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and wife Dato Fatimah Iskandar; Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development as well as Kemena assemblyman Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and wife Datin Sri Loretta Rundi; Minister in the Premier’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai; and Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and wife Dato Baduyah Bujang. — DayakDaily
