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oBy Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 31: Sarawak, equipped with a robust renewable energy generation capacity and active participation in the oil and gas sector, coupled with its ventures into emerging domains such as green and hydrogen economies, as well as carbon capture, storage, and trading, holds immense potential to become an energy exporter to neighbouring countries.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg underscored this potential following a Sarawak delegation’s recent visit to Sweden, Norway, and the United Kingdom (UK) to study these countries’ initiatives and policies related to carbon capture and storage (CCS) and their advancements in the renewable energy industry.
“Last week, I led a delegation from the Sarawak government to Norway and the UK to gain insights into technological and legislative aspects of their CCS initiatives.
“In Sweden, my group inspected their energy industry, particularly its cross-border energy distribution. This is important for Sarawak which has great potential to be an energy exporter to neighbouring countries,” he said when speaking at the Sarawak-Level National Day celebration in 2023, held at the Mukah Politeknik multipurpose hall and broadcasted live via Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) on social media today.
Earlier reports have highlighted Abang Johari’s keen interest in Sweden’s cross-border electricity grid system, which efficiently exports energy to Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, and Poland.
Abang Johari emphasised that Sarawak possesses similar potential as Sweden in terms of exporting electricity to Kalimantan, Indonesia, and other neighboring countries.
Furthermore, Abang Johari mentioned the government’s focus on waste-to-energy (WTE) management, a crucial aspect in establishing a sustainable waste disposal system in Sarawak while generating green energy.
During his overseas visit, he said the government is actively seeking a strategic partnership with the Swedish government in WTE management, drawing inspiration from Sweden’s successful energy generation from solid waste due to its efficient solid waste management policies.
With Sarawak sharing similar resources and abundant renewable energy sources, Abang Johari is confident in the region’s potential to adopt Sweden’s solid waste management approach and replicate its success.
The celebration today was graced by the presence of acting Head of State Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and his wife Puan Sri Dato Fatimah Mohd Iskandar.
The event also featured the raising of the Jalur Gemilang by the Royal Malaysian Navy accompanied by a rendition of Negaraku by the police band.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah and Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki were among the dignitaries present. — DayakDaily
