Sarawak Energy part of consortium undertaking study on potential Sarawak-Singapore interconnection

Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (first right), Sharbini (second right), Nuri Flex Co vice president Kim Han Soo (second left), and Lee (left) during the contract signing for Semadang Microgrid Project between Sarawak Energy and the South Korean consortium. Sarawak Information Department (JaPen)

By Ashley Sim

KUCHING, June 9: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) recently became a part of a consortium undertaking a study on a potential Sarawak-Singapore interconnection.

Sarawak Energy group chief executive officer (CEO) Datu Sharbini Suhaili revealed this today during his speech at Sarawak-Korea Energy Business Forum 2022 themed ‘Accelerating the Sarawak-Korea Strategic Energy Partnership’, which was held at a local hotel here.

“Collectively, the various projects within Borneo form an important part of the broader Asean Power Grid which was established under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 1997 and which Sarawak Energy is spearheading and advocating for,” he said.

Sharbini disclosed that renewable hydropower development has opened up opportunities for Sarawak Energy to develop transmission interconnections with Sarawak’s neighbours in Borneo.

“In 2016, we achieved the first power export to West Kalimantan leading to the possibility of similar bilateral interconnection projects to complete the remaining section of the Borneo Grid.

“Sarawak can become the “battery of Asean” with interconnections from Borneo to elsewhere in the region,” he explained.

Sarawak through Sarawak Energy is working towards becoming the powerhouse of South East Asia.

Furthermore, he pointed out that the future of the renewable energy landscape in Sarawak is bright and Sarawak Energy looks forward to seeing South Korea play a greater role in this.

Also present during the forum was Ambassador of South Korea to Malaysia Lee Chi Beom, Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Sarawak Economic Planning Unit director Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Energy Sdn Bhd CEO Robert Hardin, Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) senior vice president of corporate strategy Abang Arabi Abang Narudin, Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEI) Research Planning and Coordination diretor Dr Lee Ho-Mu, and SEDC general manager Abdul Hadi Datuk Abdul Kadir. — DayakDaily