By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 4: The fourth Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF 4.0) concluded here today with Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili urging governments, industries and communities across Southeast Asia to move from ideas to action in accelerating the energy transition.
Over the past two days, SAREF 4.0 gathered more than 90 speakers and over 1,000 participants from industry, government, academia and civil society, reinforcing its role as a global platform for dialogue and collaboration on renewable energy and sustainable development.
“We talked about accelerating the energy transition, building connections, unlocking renewables and securing a future that includes everyone.
“The climate crisis leaves no time to waste. Whether through interconnections, circular solutions, green jobs or inclusive policies–the urgency is real, and action must begin now,” Sharbini said at the closing ceremony held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
One of the highlights was the ‘Southeast Asia High-Level Roundtable: Advancing the Asean Power Grid’, co-hosted with the Asean Centre of Energy (ACE), where regional utility leaders identified strong political commitment, accessible funding mechanisms and coordinated supply chain strategies as key enablers for the grid’s success.
Key action points include preparing project reports ahead of ministerial meetings, adopting a stepwise financing approach for development, and mitigating equipment shortages through coordinated procurement and supply diversification. A report will be shared with Roundtable participants.
SAREF 4.0 also saw major collaborations sealed through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Brunei and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), alongside agreements with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the AI Centre of Sarawak.
The handover of the Carbon Study Permit further underscored Sarawak Energy’s commitment to translating dialogue into tangible action.
“These achievements reflect the theme of SAREF 4.0: Partnerships for Our Goals – Sustainable Growth & Prosperity for the Region.
“It resonates with our collective responsibility to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals while pursuing inclusive growth,” Sharbini stressed.
He added that Sarawak Energy is looking forward to tomorrow’s Batang Ai Hydroelectric Plant tour, which will give participants a firsthand look at renewable energy in action as the facility celebrates 40 years of powering Sarawak.
The closing ceremony was graced by Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof, who delivered the Closing Plenary, followed by the presentation of the 5th Asean Energy Youth Awards 2025 to recognise the creativity and innovation of young people in advancing sustainable energy. — DayakDaily
