KUCHING: China Energy Engineering Investment Corporation Limited (CEEIC) plans to invest RM6 billion (USD1.35 billion) in Sarawak’s clean energy sector, with a focus on solar energy, battery energy storage and grid infrastructure development.

The investment will be planned through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with InvestSarawak.

According to Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, the strategic agreement between the two parties is to develop large-scale renewable energy projects with a capacity of up to 2 gigawatt (GW), including the development of battery energy storage systems and supporting grid infrastructure.

He explained that the Sarawak Government welcomes the MoU in light of Sarawak's plan to generate 15GW of renewable energy by 2035.

"We welcome your proposed project involving 2GW of solar power generation with a proposed investment value of USD1.25 billion.

"Under this collaboration, InvestSarawak together with Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) will work closely with CEEIC to identify suitable project locations to facilitate the proposed investment," he said.

He said this when speaking at the MoU Signing Ceremony between InvestSarawak and CEEIC at a leading hotel here on Thursday.

By mobilising CEEIC's expertise, he said, the Sarawak Government is confident that this project will be realised smoothly, efficiently and successfully and is committed to working closely to build a green and sustainable future.

During the ceremony, the Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment witnessed the exchange of MoUs between InvestSarawak Chief Executive Officer Timothy Ong and CEEIC's Chief Economist and General Manager of the Foreign Affairs Department He Lei.

Also present were CEEIC Deputy General Manager, Wang Honggang; Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunications (Sarawak Energy Berhad & PETROS), Dato Ibrahim Baki; Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment, Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh; Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat and Sarawak Energy Group Chief Operating Officer, James Ung. -UKASnews