KUCHING: Sarawak Energy remains committed to sustainable hydropower development as the foundation of Sarawak’s generation mix, supporting the state’s efforts to provide reliable, affordable and renewable energy.

According to a statement, this commitment was highlighted during the presentation of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) Blue Planet Prize 2025, awarded to the Bakun Hydroelectric Plant (HEP), to Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, on 21 October 2025.

“The award was presented by Sarawak Energy Group CEO, Datuk Sharbini Suhaili, witnessed by Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, and Deputy Minister for Utility (Sarawak Energy & PETROS) and Chairman of Sarawak Energy, Datuk Ibrahim Baki.

“Sarawak Energy received the IHA Blue Planet Prize on 9 September 2025 in Paris, France during the International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower,” it said on Tuesday.

The IHA Blue Planet Prize is awarded to hydropower projects that demonstrate outstanding sustainability performance, based on an independent assessment using the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS), which evaluates good practice across all topics and requires evidence of triangulation through corporate policies, on-the-ground implementation, documentation and public consultation.

The HSS Silver Certification was announced earlier on 3 September 2025 during the Sustainability & Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF) 4.0 in Kuching.

The statement noted that the certification was accorded following an independent assessment by the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance, which highlighted Bakun HEP’s strengths in areas including community engagement, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and governance.

Fully commissioned in 2014, the 2,520MW Bakun HEP is the largest hydropower facility in Southeast Asia to be HSS certified and a key contributor to Sarawak’s predominantly renewable generation portfolio, alongside the Murum HEP (944MW) and Batang Ai HEP (94MW).

As Malaysia’s largest renewable energy developer and an active member of the IHA since 2010, Sarawak Energy has consistently advanced sustainable hydropower practices.

The utility develops and operates its plants in accordance with the HSS and other international benchmarks, reinforcing the principle that the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower.

Beyond hydropower, Sarawak Energy is also the first South-East Asian global Patron of the World Energy Council, formalised in March 2024.

In this role, the company supports the Council’s efforts to catalyse global energy transitions and contributes insights on energy policy, innovation and sustainability strategies. -UKASnews