Editor’s note: This story has been updated at 11.13am on June 10, 2022.
By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, June 9: Sejingkat will be decommissioned by 2026 as Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) pursues a more sustainable energy future in line with the United Nations Climate Change Conference’s (COP26) aim to reduce emissions by 2030, according to SEB Group chief executive officer (CEO) Datu Sharbini Suhaili.
Sharbini also pointed out that in Sarawak Energy’s effort to reduce carbon emission, Balingian coal-fired power plant will be the last of its kind in Sarawak.
He stated this today in his speech at the Sarawak-Korea Energy Business Forum 2022, themed ‘Accelerating the Sarawak-Korea Strategic Energy Partnership’, which was held at a local hotel here.
“We have three large hydropower plants in operation, including Batang Ai, Murum, and Bakun, with a combined generation capacity of 3,452 MW and we are developing our 1,285MW Baleh project, scheduled for completion in 2027.
“Our hydropower developments are built according to International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) standards and guidelines for safe and efficient operations.
“The sustainability assessment protocol of the International Hydropower Association, of which I am an elected board member, is now formally embedded in our hydropower project development process,” he explained.
Sharbini went on to say that in 2021, SEB signed the San Jose Declaration on the principle that the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower.
“For security of supply and in anticipation of the potential impact of climate changes, we continue to operate five main thermal power plants as sustainably and cleanly as possible which are the Bintulu Gas-Fired Power Plant, Tanjung Kidurong CCGT, Sejingkat Coal Power Plant, Mukah Coal Power Plant, and Balingian Coal-Fired Power Plant,” he pointed out. — DayakDaily
