By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 27: Sarawak Energy Group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Sharbini Suhaili has been re-elected to the Board of the International Hydropower Association (IHA), representing the East Asia and Pacific region.
He joins 17 other hydropower leaders from six regions – Africa, North and Central America, South America, Europe, South and Central Asia, and East Asia and Pacific – who will serve on the Board for a two-year term beginning September 2025. The Board is tasked with shaping IHA’s strategic priorities in advancing the global clean energy transition.
Sharbini has served on the IHA Board since 2017, shortly after taking on the role of Group CEO of Sarawak Energy, Malaysia’s largest renewable energy developer and the primary energy provider in Sarawak. He was subsequently re-elected in 2019, 2021 and 2023, underscoring his continued leadership in championing sustainable hydropower development in Malaysia and the wider Southeast Asian region.
Commenting on his re-election in a media release today, Sharbini said: “This re-election is a recognition of Sarawak Energy’s consistent efforts and commitment to advancing sustainable hydropower as part of delivering affordable, reliable and renewable energy for Sarawak and the region, while contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) towards a sustainable energy future.”
Under his leadership, Sarawak Energy successfully advocated for large hydropower to be formally recognised as part of Malaysia’s renewable energy mix, which was achieved in 2021. Today, the utility is the nation’s largest renewable energy developer.
“Since joining the International Hydropower Association in 2010, Sarawak Energy has actively promoted sustainable hydropower by showcasing its benefits through communications campaigns, as well as regional and international conferences and forums. By sharing our hydropower journey, we aim to contribute to regional discussions on sustainable development and the energy transition, while also supporting IHA’s global presence.
“This re-election reflects the contributions we have made and the privilege of continuing to represent Sarawak Energy in the international hydropower community. Although we are a comparatively smaller organisation based on the island of Borneo, our efforts continue to be recognised by international hydropower players,” Sharbini said.
Sarawak Energy ensures its hydroelectric plants and projects adhere to the Hydropower Sustainability Standard, a globally recognised benchmark, as well as the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) guidelines. The company also aligns with the San Jose Declaration, which affirms that the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower.
Sharbini added: “It is an honour to continue serving on the IHA Board. Sarawak Energy looks forward to working closely with IHA and fellow members to advance the role of sustainable hydropower in achieving renewable energy goals and supporting global efforts to address climate change.”
The IHA, established in 1995 under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), is the world’s most extensive hydropower network and the global voice of sustainable hydropower. Its members span over 100 countries and include hydropower owners, operators, developers, designers, suppliers, and consultants.
Sharbini was also among the high-level speakers at the opening plenary of the 2023 World Hydropower Congress (WHC), held biennially by the IHA, which convenes industry leaders, governments, international organisations, financial institutions and civil society to chart the future of sustainable hydropower development. — DayakDaily
