OKTOBER 2024
Sarawak To Play Key Role In Asean Energy Transition - Premier
SINGAPORE, Mon: Sarawak, with its strong track record in decarbonising its energy system, is poised to play a key role in sharing renewable, low-carbon electricity across South East Asia.
Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Haji Johari said this here today when delivering his keynote address at the 17th Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) organised by The Energy Market Authority (EMA) of Singapore.
“Sarawak is committed to supporting Southeast Asia’s transition to renewable energy as we have the potential to be the "Battery of ASEAN", sharing our predominantly renewable power with our South East Asian neighbours through the interconnected Borneo and ASEAN Power Grid,” he pointed out.
He stated that as regional demand for clean energy grows, these efforts are essential for enhancing cross-border energy exchange, strengthening regional security and accelerating the clean energy transition.
“Looking ahead to the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2026–2030 period and with Malaysia assuming the ASEAN Chair in 2025, we are dedicated to deepening regional cooperation and fostering greater connectivity across our energy systems,” he said.
He also pointed out that Sarawak had been actively collaborating with the Malaysian Federal Government to advance the ASEAN Power Grid, with the formation of a Joint Taskforce between Malaysia and Indonesia to accelerate its development.
By doing so, we can collectively drive meaningful progress towards a sustainable and resilient energy future for all ASEAN member states, he added.
He told delegates at the summit that Sarawak were not only focused on providing clean power for its own development but also saw great commercial potential in exporting electricity to its neighbours.
“We are strong advocates of regional interconnectivity and foresee that power trade in ASEAN will gradually move from bilateral connections to a more integrated network involving renewable sources.
“Sarawak's partnerships with Indonesia, Sabah, Brunei, and Singapore could lay the foundation for cross-border energy trade through groundbreaking projects like the Borneo-Indonesia-Malaysia- Philippines Interconnection,” he said.
He stated that since 2012, Sarawak formed a partnership with Indonesia’s Perusahaan Listrik Negara in the Kalimantan region, marking a significant step toward regional energy collaboration in Borneo.
Our initial efforts focused on providing reliable electricity to remote Indonesian border communities through the Sarawak-West Kalimantan Grid Strengthening Project in 2016, marking the first interconnection of high-voltage grids between Sarawak and West Kalimantan, he told the delegates.
“Building on this foundation, we are advancing the monumental Mentarang Induk Hydroelectric Plant (MIHEP) in Indonesia, a project that promises to reshape the nation's energy landscape.
“In 2023, I had the honor of attending the groundbreaking ceremony, during which President Joko Widodo himself set the project in motion,” he further told them.
In addition to Sarawak’s efforts with Indonesia, he said the State aimed to expand electricity exports to Sabah by 2025 and to Brunei between 2027 and 2030.
Sarawak’s commitment to this was reaffirmed through power exchange agreements with Sabah Electricity in 2021, enabling the export of 30 to 50 MW to Sabah upon the completion of transmission infrastructure by 2025, he pointed out.
He said Sarawak had completed technical studies with Sembcorp Utilities to connect with Singapore and West Malaysia through undersea cables.
“Commercial negotiations for these interconnections are progressing well, while Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is conducting a pre-feasibility study for a potential Sarawak-to-West Malaysia link. These projects mark significant milestones for Sarawak’s role in the ASEAN Power Grid's next phase.
Making the ASEAN Power Grid a reality would require more than just technological and financial solutions. It will need political will, policy alignment, harmonisation of regulations and standards, infrastructure development and regional cooperation,” he stressed.
Among those accompanying the Premier at the Summit were the Minister of Utility and Telecommunications, Dato Sri Haji Julaihi bin Narawi, State Secretary, Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Abu Bakar bin Marzuki, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESTY), Datuk Dr. Haji Hazland bin Abang Hipni, Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) chairman, Dato Haji Ibrahim Baki, SEB CEO Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili and MEESTY Permanent Secretary, Datu Abang Ahmad bin Abang Morni.