By Karen Bong
KUCHING, April 17: The Sarawak government is set to initiate a pioneering wave farm in Samalaju, Bintulu to capture energy from waves and transforming it into kinetic energy for power generation.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced this plan as part of Sarawak’s strategy to broaden its portfolio of renewable energy sources, recognising the significant potential of wave energy as a sustainable resource.
“There is already an existing jetty spanning 3.5 kilometres (in Samalaju) and we will implement power generation from the sea by using the wavelength (or velocity of the movement of water).
“This is something new for Sarawak which people have not explored. But I will test it out in Bintulu. If successful, Bintulu will become among the first in the world to use wave energy to generate electricity,” he said in a speech at the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering at Naim Paragon Street Mall in Bintulu which was broadcasted live via Ukas Channel today.
Abang Johari pointed out his commitment to undertake various experiments to diversify renewable energy sources in Sarawak, apart from hydropower, cascading dam, solar (photovoltaic), wind, biomass and gas which the State has already embarked on.
“I am going to experiment on many avenues, including electricity generation from elevated water tanks based on gravity concept.
“Sarawak has abundant water resources and wave potential. So we will leverage these resources to grow our new and green economy,” he emphasised.
Recently, Abang Johari has mentioned an ongoing experiment in Stumbin, Sri Aman, where energy is being produced from water stored in an elevated tank. Water from a nearby river is pumped into the tank and released to turn a turbine below, generating energy.
Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, Deputy Minister of Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali and BDA deputy chairman Dato Haidar Khan Asghar Khan were among those present. — DayakDaily
