KUCHING: Sarawak is set to embark on its first cascading dam project in Sungai Gaat, Kapit, following approval from the local community.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said he had received a letter from the residents of Sungai Gaat agreeing to the development of the dam.
“This will be the first cascading dam we are going to develop.
“I have informed Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Sharbini Suhaili, and the top management that we secure funding to start this project,” he said.
He said this while attending the Sarawak Energy Vendor Excellence Awards (SEVEA) 2025 held at Waterfront Hotel on Friday night.
In addition to the cascading dam, Abang Johari said there are plans to incorporate pumped hydro mechanisms to further enhance Sarawak’s power supply capabilities.
“With this set of power supply and the abundance of energy resources we have, Sarawak can become a regional energy supplier, and this is our target,” he said.
He added that Sarawak is richly endowed with natural resources, including water, gas and solar energy.
“We are very blessed. We have all that, and during my recent trip with a delegation to the United Kingdom, they remarked that the state is fortunate to have such natural capital.
“This is our natural asset,” he said.
Thus, he said, with the support of the business community and SEB, Sarawak can play a significant role in the global shift towards renewable and sustainable energy.
It was previously reported that the Utility and Telecommunication Ministry and SEB have identified 11 river basins with the potential for the development of cascading dams or cascading power sources.
The 11 river basins are Sungai Tutoh, Sungai Tingar and Sungai Baram in Miri; Sungai Trusan, Sungai Lawai and Sungai Limbang in Limbang; and Sungai Gaat, Sungai Belaga, Sungai Danum, Sungai Balu, and Sungai Tekalit in Kapit.
