ABU DHABI: Sarawak has set an ambitious target to increase its renewable energy generation capacity to 15 gigawatts (GW) by 2035.

According to Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, this long-term plan is part of Sarawak’s commitment to capitalise on its natural resources and strategic policies to drive regional growth.

“Our goal is to generate 10 GW by 2030, even though our domestic demand is far lower. 

“The surplus energy can be shared with our regional partners, and by 2035, we hope to increase this to 15 GW, ensuring a suitable energy mix for our neighbours,” he said.

He said this in an interview after participating as a panelist in a focus discussion at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) 2024 held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on Wednesday.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari said that currently, Sarawak’s energy generation capacity stands at 5.7 GW, with 62 per cent derived from hydroelectric power from the Batang Ai, Bakun, and Murum dams. 

Gas contributes 21 per cent, coal 16 per cent , and diesel 1 per cent , while alternative energy sources like biomass, hybrid solar, and micro-hydro plants make up less than 1 per cent.

The Baleh Dam, with a capacity of 1.3 GW, is under construction and is expected to be operational by 2027, further boosting the region’s renewable energy capacity. 

"Currently, we generate 70 per cent of our energy from hydro and 30 per cent from non-hydro sources. In other words, we already have clean energy and have been expanding it over the past 20 years in hydroelectric power generation.

"Due to our advantages, being in a tropical region with abundant rivers, we leverage this strength to produce clean energy, not just for Sarawak, but also to share through what we call the Borneo Grid with our neighbours, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, and also in Kalimantan, Indonesia," he explained.

He said Sarawak is also in discussions to supply up to 1 GW of renewable energy to Singapore by 2031. 

This project, involving Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and Singapore’s Sembcorp Industries, will include a high-capacity 700-kilometre submarine cable, with the construction managed by Singapore over a period of six to seven years. 

With financing still under negotiation, Keppel Corporation has expressed interest, and Sarawak is considering supplying energy to Johor which is driven by industrial growth and demand for data centres.

“There is what we call a joint economic zone between Johor and Singapore, where they have discussed with us the possibility of us supplying energy to Johor.

“Currently, Johor relies on solar energy, but at times there are challenges with supply consistency, and we are exploring the best ways to assist Johor or Peninsular Malaysia in providing clean energy supply,” he said.

Sarawak has signed a partnership with Masdar from Abu Dhabi to develop floating solar panels capable of generating up to 1 GW.

This project, along with other initiatives, will help Sarawak meet energy demand and contribute to mitigate climate change.

Masdar, known as the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, is a leading renewable energy firm focusing on solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects.

In Sarawak, Masdar is collaborating with SEB and Gentari, a subsidiary of Petronas, to assess the feasibility of installing a floating solar project at the Murum Hydroelectric Plant with a production target of up to 1 GW.

The production of 1 GW from floating solar panels would be a significant achievement, considering the largest project currently in China only produces around 320 megawatts.

Accompanying the Sarawak Premier during his official working visit to Abu Dhabi were Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Sarawak Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Chairman of SEB, Dato Ibrahim Baki, and other senior Sarawak government officers. -UKASnews