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By Ashley Sim and Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 6: Less that one per cent of Sarawak’s total land area has been affected by the creation of reservoirs for the development of hydroelectric power plants in the region.
Revealing this, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that if Sarawak proceeds with the development of remaining nine sites, only two per cent of the region’s total land area will be affected by the created reservoirs.
“Sarawak is a very large territory,” he said in referring to a study commissioned in the 1960s that identified a hydro potential of 20,000MW in Sarawak.
Further studies, he said, indicated that there are 12 prospective hydropower sites, with potential of 8,000MW which if developed would ensure Sarawak has an abundant supply of reliable and renewable energy for the future to meet both domestic and export demands.
Addressing the Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF) 3.0 powered by Sarawak Energy at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today, Abang Johari said Sarawak’s early leaders had been exploring other sustainable natural resources as it recognises that its indigenous petroleum and coal resources were finite.
“Our natural terrain and rivers are ideal conditions for hydropower development, which has been the foundation for our ongoing socioeconomic transformation and energy transition,” he shared.
With existing dams such as Batang Ai, Murum and Bakun collectively generating nearly 3,500MW of renewable energy, he noted that a fourth 1,285MW hydroelectric project in Baleh is currently under construction and schedule for completion towards the end of this decade.
“These plants are vital part of our efforts to build a modern power system and power grid for Sarawak to drive industrialisation, attract investments as well as drive job and wealth creation through globally competitive tariffs.
“Sarawak offers the lowest average unsubsidised tariffs in Southeast Asia with an added competitive advantage: our electricity is primarily green. This has attracted bulk power customers,” he pointed out.
Furthermore, Abang Johari highlighted that hydropower offers a sustainable renewable energy option that can benefit Sarawak beyond mere electricity generation, notably reducing carbon emission intensity in Sarawak’s power system by 73 per cent between 2010 and 2021.
Under Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, Sarawak aims to maintain at least 60 per cent renewable energy capacity mix by 2030, including solar and other alternative energy sources, reduce CO2 emissions by 600,000 tonnes per annum and achieve more than 15 per cent income from foreign markets, including the pursuit of power exports.
“This contribute to our Net Zero and sustainability commitment.
“Our balanced approach to energy development has allowed us to address the energy trilemma of sustainability, security and affordability with a good measure of flexibility,” he added.
Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Minister of Telecommunication Datuk Liwan Lagang, Federal Deputy Minister of Economy Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib as well as Sarawak Energy chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi and Group chief executive officer (CEO) Datu Sharbini Suhaili were among those present. — DayakDaily
