LUBOK ANTU: Sarawak will prioritise the development of the Borneo Grid before contributing renewable energy to the wider ASEAN Power Grid.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said domestic needs must come first to ensure sufficient supply before electricity is exported.
“ASEAN has asked us to contribute renewable energy to the grid, but I told the Prime Minister we must focus on Borneo first.
“We will supply Sabah with 100 megawatts, and at the same time, Kalimantan Barat has requested supply through Lubok Antu.
“With President Prabowo, we discussed this bilaterally. They asked to channel electricity from Lubok Antu to Badau, including Sintang in West Kalimantan,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the Batang Ai Hydroelectric Plant 40th Anniversary here today (Oct 6).
Abang Johari explained that Sarawak would begin with an initial export of 50 megawatts to West Kalimantan while safeguarding local supply.
He stressed that surplus power should not be wasted, but sold to generate income and reinvest in the state’s energy development.
He said that Sarawak’s role as a regional power hub would also underpin economic growth and encourage investment into the state.
“If we have surplus, why keep it? Better to sell and use the revenue to further strengthen our energy expansion.
“This income will also support our free tertiary education initiative, because a strong economy is necessary for us to deliver that.
“With reliable energy, investors will come to Sarawak, creating jobs and driving economic growth alongside our renewable energy initiatives,” he asserted.
