By Jacob Achoi
KUCHING, April 14: Sarawak aims to produce 10,000 megawatts of electricity by 2030 that will bring in around RM10 billion in revenue.
In stating this, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said current production stands at 5,700 megawatts through the generate mix of renewable energy, coal, diesel, gas and solar.
“By 2030, we aim to produce 10,000 megawatts of electricity which is equivalent to 10 gigawatts and that will bring RM10 billion income for Sarawak, from the present 5,700 megawatts,” he told reporters when met at his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Taman Heritage, here today.
He pointed out that the efforts taken included the development of cascading dams.
“So far, three such dams will be developed in Kapit, Baram and Belaga, where the letters have been written to the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg,” he added.
Meanwhile, Julaihi said the government was talking to the Indonesian government regarding the supply of 1,000 megawatts of electricity to Singapore.
This, he said was because 80 per cent of the sea cables are within Indonesian waters, while the remainder are either in Malaysian or Singaporean waters.
He gave assurance that even if Sarawak supplies electricity to Singapore, it will still have enough for domestic use.
He also said that between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of Sarawak’s electricity supply is sourced from renewable energy, while the remaining percentage is from coal, diesel, gas and solar.
Julaihi revealed that Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy) will take the lead in developing cascading dams with locals’ and investors’ participation.
“For cascading damns, we are in engagements with the locals and working with Residents and District Offices,” the Sebuyau assemblyman asserted.
He also told reporters that energy coal plants in Sejingkat and Balingian will be phased out gradually.
“We are doing this (phasing out coal energy) to also help reduce carbon dioxide emissions,” he said.
Among those who visited Julaihi’s open house were Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embass and Dato Amar Dr Sim Kian Hui and other State Cabinet members. — DayakDaily
