By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 3: Sarawak is ahead of other states in Malaysia and other regions in Southeast Asia in dealing with global climate change in accordance with the Paris Agreement 2015, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He stated that Sarawak is currently producing clean renewable energy, where 70 per cent of its energy mix is from hydropower and the State is committed to maintain at least 60 per cent of its renewable energy capacity mix with hydropower.
“Hydropower offers a sustainable renewable energy option that can benefit us beyond mere electricity generation.
“It allows us to reduce the carbon emission intensity of our power system by 73 per cent between 2010 and 2021, contributing to our Net Zero and sustainability commitments.
“Leveraging on renewable hydropower has allowed us to explore green hydrogen production and utility scale floating solar,” he said during Malaysia Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Summit 2023 Sarawak Region held at Pullman Hotel here today.
Abang Johari also mentioned that under the State’s Green Energy Agenda, it is exploring several ways to decarbonise transport systems and further transition towards a low carbon economy that already has predominantly green electricity as a pillar.
“In 2019, Sarawak commissioned the first Hydrogen Production Plant and Refuelling Station in this region.
“Sarawak is also working with Japanese and South Korea multinational companies (MNCs) to develop mega hydrogen production plants in Bintulu.
“Our target is that by the year 2028, we are exporting hydrogen to Japan and Korea while the balance will be used by us in Sarawak. Thus, our decarbonisation programme is on track,” he added.
Among those present were Federal Deputy Minister of Economy Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib, former Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Sarawak’s Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (Telecommunication) Datuk Liwan Lagang, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESty) Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, UN Resident Coordinator in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam Karima El Korri and Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) chief executive officer Datu Ismawi Ismuni. — DayakDaily
