KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Berhad is working with its Indonesian partner through a joint venture company to materialise a proposed hydroelectric project in Northern Kalimantan.
Its chief executive officer (CEO) Datu Sharbini Suhaili said if the project is able to materialise, it will be its first international project.
“It will also be a significant milestone for us to become a regional powerhouse in Southeast Asia.”
“Our experience and expertise in renewable hydropower development was key to the success of our first international venture.”
“With the strong support of the Government of Sarawak, we believe we can ensure Sarawak becomes the “battery of ASEAN” with interconnections from Borneo to elsewhere in the region,” he said.
Apart from that, he said, Sarawak Energy is also progressing talks with Brunei and Singapore.
Sharbini was speaking at the Sarawak Energy Centenary Townhall; marking 100 Years of Powering held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
He said Sarawak Energy also signed the Power Exchange and Interconnection Agreements with Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd and it will export 30 to 50MW to Sabah after the completion of transmission infrastructure in the next few years.
“All these started when we took the first step in driving a transboundary Borneo Grid with the commissioning of Sarawak’s first interconnection to West Kalimantan in 2016.”
“This successful implementation led to the identification and possible implementation of other, similar bilateral interconnection projects, laying the foundation for an interconnected Borneo and eventually ASEAN,” he said.
Apart from that, Sarawak Energy also aimed to increase the share of renewable and alternative energy in the generation mix as renewable hydropower will continue to be an important capital for a sustainable energy future.
Sharbini said there was a plan to add about five per cent solar energy into the generation mix by 2030
He said the 1,285MW Baleh Hydroelectric Project is progressing and is expected to come on stream by 2027. Besides, they are also embarking on the first floating solar farm at the 108MW Batang Ai Hydropower Plant – leveraging on the reservoir’s existing body of water to do so.
“Once commissioned, the 50MW solar farm will offset around 52 kilo tonnes of carbon emissions annually – further decarbonising Sarawak’s power system,” he said.
“With renewable energy identified as a key enabler of this strategy, our efforts are focused on maintaining a 60 per cent renewable energy capacity mix by 2030,” he said.
“We also aim to reduce Carbon dioxide emissions by 600k tons per annum through electric vehicles or EVs and achieve more than 15 per cent income from foreign markets in line with our Southeast Asia renewable energy powerhouse ambitions,” he added.
Sharbini said the future plans and past successes could only materialise with the support of Sarawak government, owners and stakeholders as well as the dedication and commitment of their staff.
“This will continue to drive us closer towards realising our aspiration of becoming a regional powerhouse and leading energy utility in Southeast Asia as we complete our mission to fully light up Sarawak,” he said.
