KUCHING, Oct 29: Sarawak is in position to be a player in renewable energy in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, starting by exporting renewable or low carbon electricity to Singapore.
Senator Robert Lau in stating this, pointed out Sarawak’s huge potential to be an exporter from its numerous hyrdo-power generating dams.
“A submarine transmission cable from Sarawak to Singapore is practical. If we recall 30 years ago when Bakun (Dam) was first announced, the plan was to lay an even longer submarine transmission cable to West Malaysia.
“I believe our State government would have thought of such potential and does its best to explore them,” he added.
Lau was referring to a statement by the Singapore government during the Singapore International Energy Week where it announced its plans to import 35 GigaWatt of low carbon electricity by 2035 and mentioned possible supply from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Another statement by the Malaysian government, on Oct 22, through the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources saying that it will not be exporting renewable energy to Singapore, has left more room for Sarawak to step up in the game.
“Sarawak has autonomy over energy. We have our own energy company, Sarawak Energy Berhad. Sarawak is free to decide how and who to sell her excess low carbon electricity,” said Lau in a statement today.
He stressed that Sarawak has to be in the forefront to lead and leverage on its current advantage of having been a big producer of hydroelectricity. — DayakDaily
