By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 6: Sarawak is preparing to export 30MW of electricity for a term of 15 years to Sabah by the end of 2023, once the grid expansion under the Sarawak Energy’s Northern Agenda has connected Miri to the northern towns of Limbang and Lawas in Sarawak.
This came following the Power Exchange and Interconnection Agreements established between Sarawak via Syarikat Sesco Berhad (Sesco), which is a subsidiary of Sarawak Energy, and Sabah via the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) during a virtual signing ceremony witnessed by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor today.
The Sarawak-Sabah interconnection will be done via a 31km 275kV double circuit transmission line which will run from future Lawas substation in Sarawak to Mengalong substation near Sipitang in Sabah.
This project will be the first interconnection between the two Malaysian power utilities and the second for Sarawak after the first successful interconnection to supply energy to Kalimantan through Bengkayang in West Kalimantan in January 2016.
In his congratulatory remarks during the event, Abang Johari emphasised that the agreement marked a historic milestone as Sarawak inched closer towards materialising the Borneo Grid and the wider Asean Power Grid.
“Sarawak has the strength in terms of renewable energy resources from the existing hydro dams and it is our ambition to generate 15 per cent of our renewable energy sector income from foreign or export markets.
“The current generation capacity is predominantly renewable hydropower from the Batang Ai, Murum and Bakun hydropower plants. By 2026, once the 1,285MW Baleh hydropower project is completed, we will have additional supply to the grid.
“This collaboration brings us a step closer to a sustainable energy future for our people and beyond as we can share our renewable energy resources with our neighbours, further contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions in the region, as well as ensure energy supply security and bilaterally optimised operation costs while attracting investments for economic transformation in the Borneo Region,” he said.
With sustainability at the forefront of Sarawak’s development agenda, Abang Johari also pointed out that Sarawak Energy is spearheading the Green Energy Agenda to promote a low carbon economy and transportation through the development of cleaner energy alternatives such as hydrogen and solar.
Blessed with abundant indigenous resources as well as a highly competent and skilled workforce, he added that Sarawak will continue to leverage on sustainable energy development to fulfil the State’s aspiration of becoming the battery of Asean and powering sustainable growth in the region.
“By improving resilience in energy supply and security through interconnections, we can create a cohesive and united economic market to capture growth opportunities for a greater Borneo,” he said.
Sabah Chief Minister, who welcomed the good initiative and collaboration, emphasised that it would support the development agenda under Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ), and the growth of the industrial sector in Sabah as a whole.
“We do believe the collaboration will also assist in creating employment opportunities both in the heavy and light industrial sectors in Sabah and boost the socio-economy particularly in the rural areas,” Hajiji said before witnessing the signing ceremony from his office in Kota Kinabalu.
He added it is hoped that the inked agreements will establish good cooperation between the governments of Sabah and Sarawak in all future undertakings.
Sarawak Energy is Malaysia’s largest renewable energy provider, harnessing its abundant natural resources to light up Sarawak and provide power for its growth. These resources have enabled the power utility to offer reliable and competitively priced electricity to its domestic, commercial, industrial and export customers.
Sarawak Energy’s electricity supply is predominantly renewable following Sarawak’s pivot to renewable energy resources under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) strategic initiative.
The Power Exchange Agreement and Interconnection Agreement were signed on behalf of SESB by its chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Ir Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid while Sarawak Energy Group chief executive officer (CEO) Datu Sharbini Suhaili signed on behalf of Sesco.
The signings were also witnessed by SESB Company secretary Zunaidah Osman and Sesco CEO Lau Kim Swee.
Also joining the virtual event from Sarawak were Utilities Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Assistant Minister of Utilities (Rural Electricity) Datuk Liwan Lagang, Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion and Sarawak Energy chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi.
Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Safar Untong, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and its CEO Datuk Baharin Dun were also present.— DayakDaily
