By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Feb 25: Sarawak is committed to realising the Sarawak–Brunei Darussalam power interconnection by 2030, with an initial export capacity of 30 to 50 megawatt (MW).
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that Sarawak is also on track to export approximately 30 to 50 MW of renewable energy to Sabah by year-end, facilitated by a 34 km, 275 kV transmission line.
“At the same time, I am happy to share that just recently, our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has requested that Sarawak consider supplying renewable power to the Southern Philippines.
“With the Sarawak–Sabah Interconnection set to be energised this year, I am confident that this aspiration can be realised, particularly through the Sabah–Palawan Interconnection project, which is currently under study through BIMP-EAGA and the broader Asean framework,” he said in his keynote address during EIC Connect Energy Borneo 2025 at Hikmah Exchange Convention Centre today.
Abang Johari further highlighted progress in the 1,000 MW interconnection project to Singapore is advancing, noting that Malaysia and Singapore have reached an agreement.
“Technical discussions are now in their final stages. Given the complexity of installing one of the world’s few long-distance submarine cables, we are working closely with all stakeholders, including Indonesia,” he said.
With a target of 10 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and expand to 15GW by 2035, Abang Johari affirmed Sarawak’s commitment to supporting Southeast Asia’s clean energy transition through regional energy collaborations.
Currently, over 70 per cent of Sarawak’s electricity comes from hydropower, making it one of Asean’s lowest carbon emitters in the power sector.
“Together with Kalimantan, Indonesia, we have the potential to be the ‘Battery of Asean’, supplying renewable power to our Southeast Asian neighbours through the interconnected Borneo and Asean Power Grid.
“As Malaysia chairs Asean this year, Sarawak, in collaboration with the federal government, is committed to deepening regional cooperation and fostering greater energy connectivity,” he added.
Meanwhile, EIC Connect Energy Borneo 2025 convened over 1,200 industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders from the global energy sector in Kuching, Sarawak.
This prestigious event featured more than 80 esteemed speakers across over 25 insightful sessions, exploring key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the energy landscape.
Deputy Minister (Energy) in the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam Dato Seri Paduka Awang Mohamad Azmi Mohd Hanifah, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environment Sustainability Sarawak Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, and Energy Industries Council United Kingdom chief executive Stuart Broadley were among the distinguished guests present. — DayakDaily
