KUCHING: Sarawak, through its renewable energy sector, aims to attain sustainable growth and prosperity by becoming a Southeast Asia powerhouse, providing the region with affordable, reliable and renewable energy.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said he was confident of achieving these targets given Sarawak's abundant renewable hydropower and natural resources.
He said Sarawak has been exporting predominantly renewable electricity to West Kalimantan since 2016 and in the near future it will commence power exports to Sabah and eventually aim to materialise the Borneo Grid and become the battery of Asean.
"Our North Kalimantan project is also progressing well in its preparation for the final investment decision. Once this project is realised, it will greatly contribute to regional supply reliability, economic growth and prosperity," he said.
Abang Johari was speaking at the launch of the Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) Centenary Townhall; 100 years of Powering Sarawak held here today.
He said he was also very pleased with the progress made in lighting up Sarawak, particularly remote communities through the Accelerated Rural Electrification Master Plan under Projek Rakyat, a collaboration with the Sarawak Utility and Telecommunication Ministry and Sarawak Energy.
In comparison to 2009, he said, the rural electrification rate was only at 56 per cent.
"Today about 97% of our rural communities have access to 24-hours of reliable, renewable and clean electricity via a suite of grid and off grid solutions including solar and micro hydro power systems.
"I am sure with continuous and concerted efforts; we will achieve our 100 per cent domestic electrification rate target by 2025 despite many challenges in trying to light up Sarawak," he added.
Meanwhile, SEB chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Sharbini Suhaili said Sarawak Energy is working with its Indonesian partner through a joint venture company to materialise a proposed hydroelectric project in Northern Kalimantan.
"Our experience and expertise in renewable hydropower development was key to the success of our first international venture."
"If the project is able to materialise, it will be our first international project. It will also be a significant milestone for us to become a regional powerhouse in Southeast Asia.
"With the strong support of the Sarawak government, we believe we can ensure Sarawak becomes the "battery of Asean" with interconnections from Borneo to elsewhere in the region," he said.
Apart from that, he said, Sarawak Energy also aimed to increase its share of renewable and alternative energy in the generation mix as renewable hydropower will continue to be an important capital for a sustainable energy future.
"We aim to add about five per cent solar energy into the generation mix by 2030," he said.
"We are embarking on our first floating solar farm at the 108MW Batang Ai Hydropower Plant – leveraging on the reservoir's existing body of water to do so. Once commissioned, the 50MW solar farm will offset around 52 kilo tonnes of carbon emissions annually – further decarbonising Sarawak's power system," he said.
"We also aim to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 600k tonnes per annum through electric vehicles and achieve more than 15 per cent income from foreign markets in line with our Southeast Asia renewable energy powerhouse ambitions."