By Ling Hui
KUCHING, July 22: Sarawak is planning to keep sourcing at least 60 per cent of its power generation capacity mix from renewable sources in the next 10 years until 2030, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said this aligns with the Sarawak government’s aspiration for the State to become a regional powerhouse through affordable, reliable and renewable energy, contributing to sustainable growth and prosperity.
While increasing generation of renewable energy (RE), he said Sarawak is also aiming to derive over 15 per cent of income from foreign markets outside of Sarawak through the RE sector.
With planning for these key outcomes in motion, he said the Sarawak government will intensify public-private sector collaboration towards expanding RE generation and promoting RE exports, on top of providing regulatory support.
“Among the initiatives to promote renewable energy are hydrogen economy, the 50MW Floating Solar, mini hydro projects and Electric Vehicles (EV),” he said during the launching ceremony of Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 at a local hotel here today.
According to the PCDS 2030 handbook, there are several other catalytic initiatives or projects in growing Sarawak’s RE capacity, with some already underway and some others to be introduced in due time.
One of the highlights is the introduction of Net Energy Metering (NEM), a concept where excess energy produced from solar photovoltaic (PV) installations can be used to offset or reduce electricity bills.
It was also outlined in the handbook that the first 500 domestic customers with solar PV installations in their homes will be incentivised, as soon as NEM is officially implemented in Sarawak.
Renewable energy is only one out of the seven key enablers in PCDS 2030 to support the development of six economic sectors namely manufacturing, commercial agriculture, tourism, mining, forestry and social services.
Other key enablers include digital transformation, innovation, basic infrastructure, transport, utilities, education and human capital development.
The Sarawak government has committed an estimated amount of RM63 billion to implement PCDS 2030 under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) whereby RM30 billion is allocated for direct development and RM33 billion for alternative funding.
Among those accompanying Abang Johari at the ceremony were State secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing. — DayakDaily
