SINGAPORE: Sarawak is taking strides to strengthen its position as a regional leader in sustainable energy by ensuring all its hydropower plants meet the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS).
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg pointed out that the 2,520MW Bakun Hydroelectric Plant had recently received both HSS Silver Certification and the International Hydropower Association (IHA) Blue Planet Prize 2025.
This, he said, is a recognition of Sarawak’s leadership in sustainable hydropower and its growing role in the region’s energy transition.
“These achievements reaffirm Sarawak’s commitment to certify all hydropower plants under the HSS and uphold the San Jose Declaration that only sustainable hydropower is acceptable.
“They also prove that large-scale hydropower can be both responsible and reliable, while strengthening investor and partner contributions,” he said in his keynote address at the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2025, here today (Oct 27).
He noted that Sarawak had forged new regional collaborations, among them an energy cooperation framework with Brunei Darussalam and a partnership with the Asian Development Bank to strengthen interconnection.
“These collaborations reflect a shared commitment to trust, transparency and collective decarbonisation across Asia,” he added.
As such, Abang Johari asserted that Sarawak is re-strategising its clean energy roadmap.
Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, he said Sarawak has aligned 15 high-level strategies for the next five years, with scaling up clean energy identified as the top priority.
Abang Johari said this was crucial not only to power Sarawak’s economy but also to support wider regional growth and attract sustainable investments into the state.
“We have introduced three new policies that define the next chapter of our journey — the Sarawak Energy Transition Policy (SETP), Sarawak Hydrogen Economy Roadmap (SHER), and Sarawak Sustainability Blueprint 2030.
“To realise this vision, we are enhancing investment attractiveness through blended finance development, green financing platforms, and renewable energy certificates, while inviting partners worldwide to join us on this clean energy journey,” he said.
