KUCHING: Sarawak is setting ambitious goals to transform its energy landscape by 2030, balancing robust economic growth with sustainability..
The state envisions a thriving economy with a nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of RM280 billion, supported by an electricity supply of 47,138 GWh annually — a target that significantly exceeds current supply levels.
To meet this need, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) senior lecturer Dr Dzul Hadzwan Husaini said the state will require an additional 14,940 GWh within the next decade.
According to him, currently, Sarawak’s energy mostly comes from its rivers, with hydropower making up 76 per cent of the electricity mix.
The rest, he added, stems from natural gas (11 per cent), coal (12 pe rcent), and a sliver of other sources (1 per cent).
“But as Sarawak marches forward, it can’t rely solely on its waterfalls and reservoirs.
“To ensure a stable and climate-friendly future, the state must cast a wider net and tap into diverse renewable resources — solar, wind, ocean thermal, and geothermal — securing more than half of the needed 14,940 GWh from these greener alternatives by 2030,” he said.
Pioneering Solar Projects
Dzul explained that the foundation for this new chapter in Sarawak’s energy story is already being laid, particularly through a series of transformative solar projects.
“Floating solar panels will soon shimmer on the waters of Murum Dam (600 MW) and Bakun Dam (500 MW), while ground-mounted solar arrays — coupled with energy storage — will rise in Baram and Mukah (300 MW).
“Altogether, these installations will add 1,400 MW of solar capacity, generating an estimated 3,313 GWh each year,” he said.
He pointed out that this abundant, clean energy could support economic activities valued at RM13.5 billion of Sarawak’s GDP, illustrating how solar power can drive both growth and resilience.
“With solar alone poised to cover about 20 per cent of the state’s additional energy requirements, careful planning and execution will be vital to ensuring prosperity does not come at the expense of the environment,” he said.
Pathways to Energy Transition
He highlighted two potential approaches for integrating solar energy into Sarawak’s grid.
One option, he said, is to use solar as an alternative replacement, displacing nearly half of the state’s natural gas and coal generation.
“This shift would increase the share of clean energy from 76 per cent to an impressive 87 per cent, primarily through hydro and solar, making a significant leap toward climate neutrality.
“Another route is complementary integration: retaining current fossil-based generation while layering in solar power to raise the clean energy share to 79 per cent.
“In both scenarios, solar energy becomes a cornerstone of Sarawak’s sustainable future, not just supplementing hydropower but partnering with it to shape a more balanced, reliable grid,” he said.
Enhancing Energy Security
In light of this, Dzul said that embracing more solar power also mitigates geopolitical risks associated with fossil fuel imports.
He said that across Malaysia, about 34 per cent of natural gas consumption and over 100 per cent of coal demand rely on foreign suppliers.
“Such dependence makes the economy vulnerable to price swings, supply disruptions, and shifting diplomatic landscapes.
“By harnessing abundant local sunshine, Sarawak reduces its exposure to global energy market turbulence, enhancing its energy security and stabilisation costs.
“Lower-priced renewables translate into more affordable electricity, bolstering households, businesses, and industries.
“This renewable transition also draws investments, creates jobs in solar construction and maintenance, and builds a more self-sufficient economy — a far cry from the volatility tied to imported fossil fuels,” he said.
Moreover, he said that beyond economic and security benefits, the solar shift represents a step toward lasting environmental stewardship.
He said that solar power produces clean, reliable energy without depleting natural resources, and energy storage solutions ensure steady supply even under cloudy skies.
“This diversification of the energy mix makes the system more resilient to climate variability. The result is not merely a growth story but a narrative of cleaner air, healthier communities, and ecosystems that thrive alongside human development.
“Solar energy aligns with Sarawak’s vision for a greener future, fulfilling global sustainability goals and leaving a legacy the next generation can be proud of,” he said.
Learning from Regional Lessons
Having said that, Dzul stressed that as Sarawak shapes its future, the state must also learn from the paths others have taken.
Taking Indonesia for instance, he said the country once maintained a more balanced energy mix, combining significant shares of renewable energy and fossil fuels.
“Yet over time, rapid economic growth eroded that balance. From 1992 to 2002, Indonesia’s real GDP rose by about USD 120 billion.
“During this period, fossil fuel consumption surged by around 72 per cent while renewables grew by only about 19 per cent.
“Consequently, the country’s renewable share slid from 57.5 per cent to 44.7 per cent,” he said.
From 2002 to 2012, he said, Indonesia added roughly USD 722 billion in real GDP, but fossil fuels again dominated.
“Renewables actually declined by about 13 per cent, bringing their share down from 44.7 per cent to 30.1 per cent.
“And from 2012 to 2022, with an additional USD 381 billion in real GDP, Indonesia’s renewable share plunged further to just 20 per cent.
“Economic ambition outpaced environmental responsibility, and the once-celebrated model of balance became a cautionary tale,” he said.
A Vision for the Future
As such, for Sarawak, Dzul said these statistics paint a clear picture: without sustained commitment, the pursuit of economic growth can overshadow the importance of maintaining a robust share of clean energy.
He emphasised that Indonesia’s experience highlights the risks of letting fossil fuels dominate as new wealth accumulates.
“By contrast, Sarawak now stands at a crossroads where it can choose a different path—one that fully leverages abundant solar energy, combines it thoughtfully with hydropower, and continues to diversify into other renewables.
“Embracing solar reduces reliance on volatile global fossil fuel markets, lowers long-term costs, improves environmental quality, and enhances energy security by drawing power from domestic, renewable sources rather than imports,” he said.
He stated that economic targets and environmental responsibilities need not stand at odds.
“By keeping Indonesia’s lessons close at hand, Sarawak can forge a future that preserves its natural wealth while fueling its prosperity.
“Armed with cutting-edge solar initiatives, strategic planning, and a vision that places sustainability at the heart of progress, Sarawak can show the world how a region can rise toward a brighter, cleaner tomorrow,” he said.
