BY NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS & GILLIAN NESSLYN
KUCHING: Sarawak is rolling out reforms to its Net Energy Metering (NEM) guidelines to accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar power, making clean energy more accessible for households, small businesses, and industries alike.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the state is reducing administrative hurdles and streamlining approval processes to encourage wider participation in renewable energy generation.
“With these reforms, we aim to empower not just industries but also ordinary homeowners and small businesses to be part of the clean energy transition,” he said.
Delivering his keynote address titled ‘Advancing Sustainable Construction and Renewable Energy for A Greener Future’ during International Construction Week (ICW) 2025 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on Tuesday, Awang Tengah said these measures align with Sarawak’s broader environmental goals.
“While hydroelectric power remains Sarawak’s main energy source, we are also actively exploring alternatives such as solar, biomass, tidal, and wind energy,” he said.
He noted that Sarawak has amended the Sarawak Electricity Ordinance to encourage the participation of independent power producers in renewable energy generation.
Awang Tengah also stressed the importance of integrating sustainability into infrastructure design, noting that buildings must be part of a broader ecosystem of roads, drainage, and digital systems designed for both climate mitigation and adaptation.
“For instance, smart drainage systems help prevent flooding, while green corridors enhance biodiversity and support wildlife mobility,” he explained.
“A building alone cannot be considered truly sustainable if it is not connected to resilient infrastructure,” he added.
He said sustainability must go hand-in-hand with beauty, functionality, and safety.
“It must be holistic, connecting infrastructure with people and the environment.”
Turning to major projects, Awang Tengah cited the Northern Coastal Highway, where a viaduct near Bukit Mas was designed to tackle steep terrain while preserving the natural landscape.
“This approach reflects our commitment to responsible development. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not a barrier; it is a guide for building responsibly and sustainably.”
He stressed that Sarawak’s unique topography, slope gradients, and soil conditions must be considered in infrastructure design, especially for critical assets like roads and bridges.
“Geotechnical and environmental factors are pivotal to long-term resilience.
“Today’s development must not come at the expense of tomorrow. We are building a greener, healthier, and more sustainable Sarawak for future generations,” he said.
