KUCHING: Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) has reinforced its efforts to promote local participation and capacity building through the 500-megawatt Miri Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Power Plant project.
The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) MP Backbenchers said the joint venture aims to secure Sarawak’s long-term energy security and ensure a stable power supply for the people and industries.
It said PETROS’ development strategy places Sarawakians at the heart of its operations, with the company working alongside international partners to bring in world-class technology, financing, and technical expertise.
“PETROS’ site team is fully staffed by Sarawakians, while our international partner has actively recruited through Facebook, PERKESO listings, local newspapers, and recruitment roadshows. Despite these efforts, responses from local applicants have remained modest.
“Currently, of the approximately 400 workers on site, nearly half are Sarawakians, including many from Miri, while most supervisors, engineers, technicians, and welders are also local.
“To date, 76 local operations and maintenance technicians have completed on-the-job training (OJT) under the Miri CCGT operational readiness programme,” it said in a statement today.
According to the statement, the 500MW Miri CCGT Power Plant project is structured to maximise local participation through four key packages.
Package 1 — Earthworks — has been completed fully by local contractors and workers.
Package 2, covering engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC), was awarded to an international partner through competitive tender, with a minimum local content requirement of 22 per cent.
To date, at least 23 per cent of the total workforce, including subcontractors, are Sarawakians.
Meanwhile, the tender process for Package 3 (utilities) and Package 4 (gas supply pipeline) is ongoing, with both designed for full local contractor and workforce participation.
The backbenchers said the OJT programme for local technicians was conducted at several regional facilities, including Sarawak Energy’s Tanjung Kidurong Combined Cycle Power Plant in Bintulu, Sarawak Energy’s Miri Power Plant, Malakoff’s Lumut Power Plant in Perak, and PLN Indonesia Power’s Priok PGU in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“The OJT equips Sarawakian technicians with the skills and expertise needed to operate the plant safely and efficiently. When the plant becomes fully operational in 2027, the aim is for it to be fully run by Sarawakians,” it added.
Additionally, it said PETROS’ collaboration model ensures that while foreign technical specialists are required for certain phases, all international contractors must meet minimum local-content commitments, including the use of local suppliers, subcontractors, and training opportunities for Sarawakians.
“While the Miri CCGT project initially aimed to reserve 30 per cent of opportunities for Sarawak-based contractors, the main contracts were awarded to international partners through open competitive bidding.
“Nevertheless, many supporting services in Miri — such as hotels, transport, and logistics — are provided by local businesses,” the statement asserted.
Beyond the immediate project, it said PETROS continues to strengthen local technical capacity through targeted training, collaboration with industry partners, and mentorship initiatives to develop future Sarawakian leaders in the energy sector.
PETROS’ objective, the statement added, is not only to build and operate the plant safely and reliably but also to grow Sarawak’s local technical workforce over the medium and long term.
“Our intent has always been to balance immediate project delivery with long-term capability — building a sustainable energy future for Sarawak, one step at a time,” it said.
