By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 19: Energy from Sarawak will play a pivotal role in enhancing the diversity of the regional energy mix and reducing dependence on fossil fuels—an invaluable contribution to the entire Asean region as it transitions towards cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
Asean Centre for Energy (ACE) Governing Council executive director Datuk Razib Dawood affirmed that Sarawak is now positioned as a key player and strategic connector in the implementation of the Asean Power Grid (APG) mega project.
“Besides being a major supplier of renewable energy, particularly hydropower, Sarawak has emerged as a central hub for cross-border energy connectivity in Southeast Asia.
“Sarawak is in a strong position to share its energy resources with other Asean member states. I would even say Sarawak is becoming the core of new grid interconnections—not just for today, but well into the future,” he told TVS at the conclusion of the 43rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) on Wednesday (June 18).
Razib noted that Sarawak is actively participating in both existing and planned grid interconnection projects.
These include current connections to Kalimantan (Indonesia), and proposed links to Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Miri to Brunei Darussalam, and potentially from Sabah to Palawan in the Philippines.
“These initiatives lay the foundation for a wider regional power network stretching from Malaysia to Thailand, Sumatra, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia,” he said.
He explained that Sarawak’s renewable energy exports, especially hydropower, will significantly benefit Asean countries that still rely heavily on hydrocarbon-based sources such as coal and natural gas.
“Energy from Sarawak adds valuable diversification to the energy mix, easing the region’s reliance on fossil fuels. It’s a meaningful contribution toward a more sustainable Asean,” he stressed.
Razib also highlighted Sarawak’s active role in shaping regional energy policies through Sarawak Energy Berhad.
“Sarawak Energy is a member of the Heads of Asean Power Utilities/Authorities (HAPUA) working group and actively engages in Senior Officials Meetings (SOM) that focus on Asean’s energy policy direction,” he said. — DayakDaily
