SINGAPORE: The Sarawak-Singapore Interconnection Project secured a conditional approval (CA) from the Energy Market Authority of Singapore (EMA) today.
The CA marks a significant milestone towards improving broader energy security prospects and enhancing economic integration between neighbouring nations in the spirit of Asean.
Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) said the CA signifies that the project has undergone a preliminary assessment, and recognised as technically and commercially viable, paving the way for the next phase involving regulatory approvals and licensing for further development.
The CA was granted by EMA to a consortium comprising SEB and Sembcorp Utilities Pte Ltd for the export of around 1GW of renewable energy from Sarawak to Singapore, with energy flow expected to commence by 2035 or earlier.
At a handing-over event, EMA’s Assistant Chief Executive and Chief Commercial Officer, Eugene Toh, presented the Letter of Conditional Approval to SEB’s Chairman and Deputy Minister for Utility (Sarawak Energy and PETROS), Datuk Ibrahim Baki, and Sembcorp Industries Ltd Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Wong Kim Yin.
The event was witnessed by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong, and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Abang Johari welcomed the development, saying it underscored Sarawak’s growing role in advancing regional energy connectivity.
“Sarawak is pleased with this positive development on the Sarawak-Singapore Project. The project offers significant value in supporting Malaysia’s pursuit of the development and operation of a wider Asean Power Grid.
“Sarawak is also supporting the development of the Borneo Grid, having established a cross-border connection with West Kalimantan, Indonesia, in 2016.
“Building on this success, we are now working to establish new interconnections with Sabah and Brunei Darussalam to cater to regional energy needs,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim said the project reflects Sarawak Energy’s commitment to advancing renewable energy collaboration in the region.
“Multiple interconnections with abundant renewable energy resources, presents an excellent opportunity to initiate multilateral energy trading.
“Sarawak Energy is committed to collaborating and working with partners across Borneo and the broader Asean community to pursue and advocate the development of interconnections with the common objectives on achieving energy security, shared prosperity and delivering energy transition targets,” said Ibrahim.
Also present were Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, State Secretary and Sarawak Energy Board member Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Sarawak Energy Board Member Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani.
