KUCHING: Sarawak is exploring pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) at its Batang Ai hydroelectric dam to generate clean energy and further enhance the state's energy security, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said when addressing the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) today.
He said the proposed PHES will be paired with a pilot floating solar project at the Batang Ai reservoir - Malaysia's largest floating solar farm spanning 86 hectares – to leverage the abundance of sunlight and existing hydropower infrastructure.
The PHES project, Abang Johari added, will offset 52 kilotonnes of carbon emissions annually to further reduce the state's carbon footprint.
Pumped hydroenergy storage is a large-scale energy storage system that uses the gravitational potential energy of water to store and release electricity. It is one of the oldest and most widely used energy storage technologies in the world, typically used to help balance electricity supply and demand.
The system requires two water reservoirs - one at a higher elevation (upper reservoir) and one at a lower elevation (lower reservoir). When there is excess electricity in the grid, for example, from renewable sources like solar and wind, water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir using this surplus energy.
This converts the electrical energy into potential energy stored in the elevated water. During periods of high electricity demand, the stored water is released from the upper reservoir, flowing back down to the lower reservoir through turbines.
As the water flows through the turbines, it generates electricity by converting the potential energy of the water into mechanical energy, and then into electrical energy.
Abang Johari told delegates at the conference that as of this year, Sarawak has already exceeded 60 per cent of its renewable energy target, "with 62 per cent of our energy mix coming from renewables".
PHES reportedly could significantly reduce the carbon footprint as it allows for better integration of intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which are clean and carbon-free, and reduce dependence on fossil fuel.
Abang Johari said beyond solar and PHES, Sarawak was also advancing on biomass power generation and microalgae cultivation, to position the state as a leader in sustainable energy and long-term decarbonisation.
Sarawak, he said, was committed to unlocking the potential of biomass power generation as part of its energy transition.
"Sarawak is now embarking on a journey to harness Napier grass as a renewable bioenergy source. With its ability to be harvested three times a year, this versatile grass can be transformed into energy-rich pellets."
He said currently, Napier grass pellets from a Bintulu plant were being exported to the United Kingdom, further showcasing its potential in global energy markets.
"This success story drives us to explore similar opportunities, positioning biomass as a key player in our sustainable energy future and reinforcing our commitment to renewable solutions. My vision is to boost economic productivity while reducing emissions."
He said by embracing innovation and clean energy, Sarawak was not only building a future of responsible growth but also positioning itself as a model for others, demonstrating how interconnected progress can lead to sustainable development.
Abang Johari, however, said this was a challenge Sarawak could not tackle in isolation as he encouraged the world to join the state "on this exciting journey of innovation, collaboration, and economic transformation – working together to build a connected and sustainable energy world, where shared solutions drive global progress toward a cleaner, more resilient future."