By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Jan 12: Sarawakians should be allowed to sell excess electricity generated from solar panels at homes back to Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy), says Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said Sarawak Energy can then resell the excess power to the industries, be it local or foreign, that require a huge amount of energy.
This would be one of the ways to encourage residents and businesses to install solar energy systems as a clean, renewable and affordable alternative energy source.
“Surely, SEB (Sarawak Energy) will not be happy because they cannot charge those power. You will be generating your own energy, (meaning) less customers.
“But when SEB has excess energy, they can sell (the excess power) to the industries, instead of just relying on hydropower. The industries need a huge amount of energy.
“So to me, we can amend the law allowing SEB to purchase excess electricity from the people who uses solar (power generation system),” said Abang Johari when meeting the Sarawak Civil Service (SCS) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
He therefore requested the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication and Sarawak Energy to discuss this proposal.
“Maybe SEB (Sarawak Energy) can discuss (the feasibility of) this idea. (It’s) a new idea. To me, I don’t think there’s a problem.
“And I hope (Minister of Utility and Telecommunication) Datuk Julaihi (Narawi) can get experts to debate on this,” he added.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari assured that Sarawak Energy would not be suffering losses from this proposal as environmental, social and governance (ESG) companies can attract more investors.
Among those also present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and Sarawak State Secretary Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki. — DayakDaily
