JUN 2024
Batang Ai Floating Solar Farm To Be Completed In October, First Area In Malaysia To Generate Hydro & Solar Power
LUBOK ANTU: The Batang Ai floating solar project, currently being developed by Sarawak Energy, is expected to be fully completed by October 2024.
Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, said that once completed, the Batang Ai Hydroelectric Dam will be the first area in Malaysia to generate electricity through both hydro and solar power.
According to him, the project, which generates green energy, has so far reached about 35 per cent completion.
"This floating solar project is expected to produce 50 megawatts (MW) of power. Currently, the Batang Ai Hydroelectric Dam generates up to 108 MW.
"This means that once the Batang Ai floating solar project is completed, the Batang Ai Hydroelectric Dam will generate 158 MW of hydro and solar power, making it the first area in Malaysia to produce both hydro and solar energy," he said.
He made these remarks during a press conference following his working visit to the Batang Ai floating solar project site on Thursday.
The Premier of Sarawak added that he has shared ideas and views with Sarawak Energy to plan for increasing foreign investment in the Batang Ai Hydroelectric Dam.
He explained that the Sarawak government has also updated the Electric Ordinance to advance the state's policies on transitioning to clean renewable energy.
"We have amended the law to allow private entities to invest in power generation.
"This means there is now room for investors to invest in the Batang Ai area, increasing energy production capacity to over 2,000 MW.
"This will certainly enable Sarawak to have approximately 2,500 MW of green energy from the Batang Ai Hydroelectric Dam alone," he added.
Meanwhile, the Premier of Sarawak also mentioned that the state government will identify areas in Bakun and Murum for similar projects, as there are foreign investors interested in investing in those areas.
Earlier, he had the opportunity to visit the Batang Ai floating solar project site to witness the installation of floaters and solar panels, one of Sarawak Energy's supervised projects.
Also present were the Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi; Acting Sarawak State Secretary, Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel; Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (Utility), Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry, and Investment Sarawak, Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh; Group CEO of SEB, Datuk Sharbini Suhaili; and Member of Parliament for Lubok Antu, Roy Angau Gingkoi. -UKASnews