By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 12: Malaysia must broaden its energy mix and avoid over-reliance on a single source such as hydropower or gas, as extreme weather conditions and climate change may affect energy reliability in the future.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, who is also Minister for Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), said climate variability, including prolonged dry spells, could reduce dam water levels and impact hydropower generation capacity.
“Therefore, we must be prepared to diversify our energy sources, including gas, biofuel, biomass, solar and wind energy.
“This approach will ensure the country’s energy security remains safeguarded, even in the event of disruptions to global supply,” he said in a Facebook post following his visit to the floating solar hybrid project at the Batang Ai Hydroelectric Dam today.
He added that Sarawak plays a significant role as a renewable energy hub, leveraging its natural resources, particularly hydropower, alongside large-scale adoption of clean energy technologies.
The Batang Ai Hydroelectric Dam, which has been operating since 1985, remains one of Malaysia’s earliest renewable energy assets, with an installed capacity of 94MW and annual generation of about 438GWh, contributing to stable and clean power supply to the Sarawak grid.
At the site, a 50-megawatt floating solar hybrid project has been developed through collaboration between Sarawak Energy Berhad and a China-based company, covering about 190 hectares of reservoir area.
The hybrid system integrates hydropower and solar energy to improve efficiency and strengthen renewable energy output, while supporting system stability through what Fadillah described as a “firming” mechanism for variable renewable sources.
He said the integration of hydro and solar energy enhances grid reliability and supports rising electricity demand, including from data centres and high-tech industries.
“Sarawak’s success in floating solar development can serve as a model for Peninsular Malaysia. Projects such as the one at Tasik Kenyir under Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) have reached a capacity of up to 500 megawatts.
“In Sarawak, if projects at Murum and Bakun are fully implemented, the total capacity could reach around 1,500 megawatts,” he added. — DayakDaily
