KUCHING: Sarawak has surpassed its 2030 target of 60 per cent renewables energy in its installed power capacity ahead of schedule, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said Sarawak’s progress in renewable energy has positioned the state as a regional leader.
“In the realm of renewable energy, Sarawak has proudly emerged as the ‘Battery of ASEAN’.
“This is a strategic pillar of our economic transformation,” he said in his keynote address during the Asia Carbon Conference (ACC) 2025 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Abang Johari said that hydropower now makes up 70 per cent of the state’s total energy generation mix, thanks to Sarawak’s abundant natural resources.
“This monumental shift away from fossil fuels has yielded a remarkable 72 per cent reduction in our grid carbon emissions between 2010 and 2023.
“This represents cleaner air, a healthier environment, and a stronger foundation for our future,” he added.
Beyond hydropower, Abang Johari said Sarawak is pursuing an ambitious clean energy strategy, including the development of a 50-megawatt floating solar project, mini-hydro initiatives for rural electrification, and an aggressive push for electric vehicle (EV) adoption.
“We are scaling up green hydrogen production, forging deep and meaningful collaborations with leading nations, like Japan, South Korea, and China, to strengthen our supply chain, cutting energy cost, and cement our leadership in the Asia-Pacific green hydrogen market.
“This is about creating new industries, new jobs, and a new economic paradigm for Sarawak,” he said.
He also said, in a major step forward, Sarawak proudly stands as the first state in Malaysia to integrate biodiversity policies and action plans into its core development strategies.
“This integration reflects our commitment to ensure that biodiversity protection is not an afterthought but a fundamental part of our planning and governance frameworks.
“As part of our transformation towards green growth, Sarawak is prioritising sustainable forest management with a focus on certification, biodiversity restoration and digitalisation of operations.
“This strategic approach will empower Sarawak to effectively conserve and protect our natural capital for our future generation,” said Abang Johari.
He said the Biodiversity Masterplan will guide on conserving habitats, protecting species, and supporting indigenous knowledge systems – all while enabling sustainable livelihoods.
“This is yet another example of how we are aligning our environmental values with real-world implementation.
“An example of how we are integrating biodiversity conservation and green economy, Sarawak is actively reviewing its existing legal provisions to facilitate the conversion of palm oil waste into biofuel,” he said.
