By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 7: Sarawak is capable of generating up to one gigawatt (1,000 megawatts) of solar energy through installations at its four major hydroelectric plants of Batang Ai, Bakun, Murum, and Baleh as part of its aggressive push toward renewable energy and a net zero future.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the State’s clean energy ambitions are steadily taking shape, with the first large-scale solar project at Batang Ai already producing 50 megawatts of energy and another 120 megawatts under construction, bringing the total installed capacity to 170 megawatts, which is the largest in Malaysia.
“With abundant sunlight throughout the year, Sarawak is moving fast to diversify its renewable energy mix either through floating, on land and elevated solar platforms. When weather conditions are unfavourable, we still maintain energy reliability through gas turbines,” he said when officiating the Road to Belem: Accelerating Climate Action in Sarawak – An Open Day for the Sarawak Net Zero Strategy and Carbon Story held at a local hotel today.
He noted that 70 per cent of Sarawak’s current energy mix already comes from renewable sources such as hydro and gas, and the State government is working to further decarbonise its energy production by scaling up solar, hydro, and hydrogen production, as well as exploring biomass and biochar development.
Abang Johari emphasised that Sarawak’s natural resources, coupled with technological innovation and sound policy, provide a strong foundation for climate action.
He added that the Sarawak’s hydrogen initiative, launched seven years ago, has proven successful, with Sarawak Energy’s prototype plant now producing hydrogen to power five public buses and laying the groundwork for hydrogen-based public transport under the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system.
“Deep decarbonisation is required in our industrial and transport sectors. Our ART system in Kuching, powered by hydrogen fuel cells, represents a major step toward sustainable public transportation. We are among the first in the region to adopt such technology. Although construction may cause temporary inconvenience, this transformation will ensure cleaner air for future generations,” he said.
In addressing carbon emissions from the oil and gas sector, the Premier said Sarawak has adopted Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology, which involves storing captured carbon dioxide offshore in depleted oil reservoirs.
“Our model is based on the Northern Lights project in Norway, and Sarawak is now moving towards offshore carbon storage. At the same time, we are engaging with the World Bank to determine the appropriate pricing mechanism for carbon trading,” he revealed.
He stressed that Sarawak’s forests, which cover 62 per cent of the State, remain a major carbon sink, while mangrove ecosystems capable of storing three times more carbon than terrestrial forests, are being conserved to retain carbon in the soil and sustain biodiversity.
“Sarawak is the first in Malaysia to enact a comprehensive legal framework on carbon management and CCUS. Even the federal government is engaging with us to adapt our law at the national level,” he said, adding that the State will continue to observe international environmental frameworks, particularly Article 6 of the Paris Agreement governing carbon markets.
Highlighting the importance of human capital in advancing the State’s green transformation, Abang Johari emphasised that starting next year, the Sarawak government will provide free tertiary education for all Sarawakians in State-owned universities.
“This initiative aims to nurture our local talents in science and technology, enabling them to develop solutions for climate change, including nature-based approaches. Experts from the London School of Economics told me that Sarawak is very fortunate as we have the natural capital, but now we must build our human capital. Once we have both, the world is ours,” he said.
He reiterated that Sarawak’s energy transition is not just about technology but about responsibility.
“All of us share a duty to ensure that our future generations inherit a planet that is clean, safe, and sustainable. That is why Sarawak has acted boldly today for a better tomorrow,” he said.
Among the distinguished guests present include Brazilian Ambassador to Malaysia Daniella Ortega Menezes, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Hipni, and Deputy Minister of Transport Dato Henry Harry Jinep. — DayakDaily
