By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 24: Sarawak is pushing for a multilateral ASEAN Power Grid and suggested that ASEAN countries study the European Union and Nordic models of regional power sharing.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said ASEAN currently lacks a formal framework to coordinate electricity across its 11 member states.
“I did suggest that they can look at the European Union interconnection of power, where it’s not only confined to the European Union but also the Nordic countries supplying power through undersea cable.
“You don’t have to reinvent, but look at that collaboration in Europe as a model for ASEAN,” he said in a doorstep interview after co-officiating the energisation of the 275kV Sarawak–Sabah Power Grid Interconnection Project with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor in Kota Kinabalu today. An audio recording of his remarks was later shared with DayakDaily.
He added that ASEAN must adopt a similar model because there are numerous legislative and national considerations that need to be addressed.
Abang Johari further described the Sabah–Sarawak link as a trigger in creating a Borneo Grid, with active connections already in place with Kalimantan, Indonesia, and plans to supply Brunei, the Southern Philippines and Singapore.
“In other words, we have started the ball rolling with the Borneo Grid; this is bilateral for now. You need to have a multilateral framework among the 11 member countries,” he continued.
Currently, Sarawak has 3,558 megawatts (MW) of large-scale hydropower capacity in operation, powering homes, businesses, and industries across the State. By 2030, an additional 1,285 MW from the Baleh hydropower project is expected to come online, bringing total large-scale hydropower capacity to 4,843 MW.
Beyond hydropower, the State is exploring floating solar installations on existing reservoirs and low-carbon options such as gas turbine plants, with plans to reach 10 GW of installed capacity by 2030 and 15 GW by 2035.
In terms of export, Sarawak has been supplying electricity outside the State since 2016, starting with West Kalimantan, Indonesia. The recently energised Sarawak–Sabah Interconnection allows the State to supply up to 50 MW to Sabah, with capacity set to expand in the future.
Looking ahead, Sarawak plans to link with Brunei by 2030, Singapore (up to 1 GW) by the mid-2030s, and Peninsular Malaysia through ongoing feasibility studies, forming the backbone of the Borneo Grid and supporting the ASEAN Power Grid.
Meanwhile, ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) executive director Dato Abdul Razib Dawood emphasised that taking the first step does not mean waiting for perfect conditions.
He likened it to the recently officiated Sabah–Sarawak interconnection, noting that integrating power systems improves overall grid security, reserve margins, spinning reserves and daily operating capacity, while also supporting ongoing projects to strengthen Sabah’s network.
“This project helps both states support each other; you don’t have to wait for perfect conditions to start,” he said, adding that the project will grow into a Borneo Grid.
Razib said he was “very excited and motivated” by the milestone, noting that although the project is a small step, it moves the region toward the “giant step” of realising the ASEAN Power Grid dreams that have been envisioned for over three decades.
“Our ASEAN Power Grid dream, we’ve been dreaming this for over 30 years. Leadership from Sabah and Sarawak will be crucial to make the vision a reality,” he pointed out. – DayakDaily
