KUCHING: Sarawak will continue to leverage its strengths in renewable energy and hydrogen as future energy sources to drive the state’s economic growth and support regional energy transition efforts.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that while electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining increasing attention globally due to technological advancement and industrial competition, the key question that must be addressed is how the electricity powering these vehicles is generated.
“Besides that, we also need to know whether it is sustainable or not.
“Therefore, I believe every country or region has its own strengths in the energy transition. For example, China has an advantage in solar energy and EV technology.
“For us in Sarawak, I think our strength remains in renewable energy, and hydrogen is another energy source that can drive our economy,” he said in response to a question from moderator and International Energy Agency (IEA) executive director emeritus Nobuo Tanaka during a dialogue session at the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference and Exhibition 2026 here today (June 9).
He also addressed questions on China’s competitiveness in the EV industry and green technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines and batteries, and how Asian countries can cooperate with major powers in the electrification era while leveraging Sarawak’s own energy strengths.
Abang Johari said the shift towards electrification, including EV adoption, must be viewed holistically, particularly in terms of electricity generation sources, energy sustainability and battery management.
“If we use batteries, how do we dispose of them?
“So there are many issues related to electrification,” he said.
However, he noted that hydrogen operates on a different mechanism compared to electricity and is seen as an important alternative energy source that Sarawak can utilise to drive its economic development.
At the same time, he said Sarawak currently has an abundance of electricity and is exploring opportunities to export surplus energy.
“We have a lot of electricity. If we have excess, why not export it?
“That is what we are doing now,” he said.
He added that these efforts are aligned with the broader ASEAN energy network aspiration, which emphasises regional cooperation based on respective strengths and opportunities.
“We are part of the ASEAN dream network.
“It depends on the strength of each region and how policies are shaped.
“In any economy, when opportunities arise, we must know how to evaluate them.
“We will grow when the opportunity is there,” he said.
